§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking in relation to the EC Commission's delay in making interim payments of the animal ewe premium until the end of the current marketing season.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe Commission has not yet fixed the advance payment of the annual ewe premium which last year was paid in October and November. Discussions on the figures to be used for the calculation are continuing. The relevant Council regulation provides for payment of an advance during the marketing year and, while there may be a short delay, I expect the payment to be well before the end of the current marketing year.