§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated amount of carcase beef produced in Northern Ireland which has been sold into intervention over the past four weeks; and what percentage this represents of total output for the relevant period.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIt is provisionally estimated that in the four weeks ending 3rd April about 2,000 tons of carcase beef will have been sold into intervention in Northern Ireland. This represents 25 per cent. of estimated total production of beef in Northern Ireland—8,000 tons—and 2.2 per cent. of estimated total production in the United Kingdom—93,000 tons during this period.
I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the measures relating to the production of beef in Northern Ireland announced on 1st April by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which should reduce the impact of intervention in Northern Ireland.—[Vol. 908, c. 566–7.]