§ 6. Mr. LivseyIf he will make a statement on the current market prices of cattle and sheep in Wales. [33431]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsMeat prices for cattle and sheep in Wales are significantly below those of a year ago. In addition to the short-term help that the Government are providing to livestock producers, I am discussing with farming unions in Wales how Welsh agriculture can be viable for the long term.
§ Mr. LivseyWhile acknowledging what the Minister said about the Government's recent assistance to farmers, will he note that more than 1,000 lambs were sold a week ago at Talgarth market in my constituency for between £23 and £27 a head, which is £15 down on last year's price? The main reason for that fall in price is the strength of the pound. The headlines in tonight'sEvening Standardstate that the pound is at a nine-year high. Will he ask his right hon. Friend the Chancellor, who is almost beside him, to do something about the devaluation of the green pound to ensure that prices are competitive for farmers and that they can survive?
§ Mr. GriffithsMy right hon. Friend the Chancellor is not almost beside me; he is beside me, as the hon. Gentleman should have seen from where he was standing.
Is devaluation Liberal Democrat policy? We presented a very successful Budget yesterday, and we must look at everything that we are trying to achieve through it. Farmers in rural Wales have welcomed extra money being made available for rural transport schemes. The Welsh Office is paying a great deal of attention to consultation with farming unions in Wales and with other rural interests to ensure that we promote and strengthen Welsh agriculture at a time when aspects of economic policy are not, in the short term, meeting all their objectives. I assure the hon. Gentleman that we shall do everything possible to ensure that Welsh agriculture survives this difficult time and makes good for the future.
§ Madam SpeakerThat was far too long an answer.