§ 7. Mr. Owen Paterson (North Shropshire)If he will make a statement on the Welsh livestock industry. [61565]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Jon Owen Jones)The Department is working with the Welsh Development Agency and the industry to develop an action plan for the lamb and beef sectors, which will be published in the new year. Coupled with the lifting of the beef export ban, it will provide a basis for the Welsh livestock industry to strengthen its competitiveness and adapt to meet the challenges facing it.
§ Mr. PatersonI do not want to be churlish, but the lifting of the beef ban 10 days ago was only a partial 311 success. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"] If hon. Members would listen, they would learn that one of Britain's premier exporters of quality beef told me 10 days ago that the beef that is most in demand by high-quality restaurants and distributors is beef on the bone for large roasts and T-bone steaks. When will the ban on beef on the bone be lifted, so that abattoirs can take the substantial commercial risk of dedicating a whole plant to export business?
Mr. JonesThe hon. Gentleman is being churlish. The Conservative Government were responsible for the total failure that resulted in the imposition of a beef ban.
§ Mr. Huw Edwards (Monmouth)Does my hon. Friend agree that the livestock industry in Wales has greatly welcomed the lifting of the beef export ban, which was negotiated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture? Does not that show that the interests of Welsh farmers will be much better served by the Government's positive approach to Europe, as opposed to the anti-European posturing of the Conservative party?
Mr. JonesI agree with my hon. Friend, who makes a very good point. To secure its future, our industry must regain the markets in Europe that it has lost. That will be difficult, but it can be done. The industry must increase confidence. Confidence will return but, unfortunately, Conservative Members continue to run down the industry that they pretend to champion.
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn)Does the Minister accept that there is widespread dismay among the agricultural community in Wales about the level of support that the Welsh Office is able to give to the tir gofal scheme? Does he realise that that is an important instrument of social economic policy in Wales? Will he make it clear that the Government are committed to the scheme and will ensure that it is properly funded?
Mr. JonesThe Government are committed to the scheme. The initial funding may not be as great as the hon. Gentleman would like, but it will increase year on year. It must be borne in mind that that funding is in addition to the £21 million-worth of aid that the farming package has released for Welsh farmers. The hon. Gentleman, if he represents people in the industry, should be thankful for the Government's support for Welsh farmers.