§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the three private carcase meat storage schemes that have been operated in the EEC; and if he will give an estimate of what the effect will be upon farmers' and meat traders' income, respectively, of the private beef storage scheme now proposed.
§ Mr. BishopThere have been three previous Community schemes to aid the
1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 Imported supplies of animal feeding stuffs (million tons) 6.0 6.2 5.2 5.6 4.6 Percentage of total net requirements 33 34 28 29 25 It is not yet possible to provide an estimate for 1974–75.
Note:Animal feeding stuffs comprise coarse grains, wheat used for feed, protein, molasses and other miscellaneous feeds.
28Wprivate storage of beef. On 31st January, 10th April and 12th July 1974 the Commission invited tender for offers of beef for private storage but the quantities accepted fell considerably short of the quantities for which tenders were invited. The latest private storage scheme for beef was introduced on 4th November. Unlike its predecessors, it does not operate on the basis of tenders but on a known level of aid. The storage requirements have also been modified. The scheme has not been in operation long enough for any assessment of its impact to be made. No estimates are available of the effect of the scheme upon farmers' and meat traders' incomes.