§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is satisfied with the help given to small farmers selling cattle.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees:Producers of beef cattle in Northern Ireland have been receiving considerably increased returns in recent weeks. Figures for the week ending 24th February 1975 show a total average return to Northern Ireland producers of £21.791½ per live cwt.—virtually equal to the United Kingdom target price —compared with £14.60 per cwt. in mid-November 1974 and £16.68 per cwt. for the corresponding week last year.
The beef arrangements agreed recently in Brussels have provided for the fixing of a target price for the period March 1975 to February 1976 of £22.85 per live cwt. for clean cattle. This target price will vary according to the time of the year to encourage orderly marketing. It is hoped that the new arrangements will benefit producers throughout the entire season and also help to stimulate prices for store animals.