§ Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if an estimate has yet been made of the number of farmers in Scotland who will be considered hardship cases under the quota system for milk.
§ Mr. YoungerAn accurate estimate has not so far been possible, because of protracted discussions between member states and the Commission on a number of outstanding points, several of which relate to hardship criteria. However, it is thought that there could be as many as 1,500–1,800 cases in Scotland, around 60 per cent. of them being producers who have invested substantially in expanding their enterprises, either from private resources or with the aid of Community or Government-assisted development plans. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland is presently discussing the handling of such cases with representatives of the industry. I hope that it will be possible to notify producers soon.
§ Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much extra production will come from farms where a farm and horticultural development scheme is still operating to increase cow numbers in Scotland.
§ Mr. YoungerIt is difficult at this stage to assess accurately the degree of extra production which may be expected from farms implementing FHDS plans. Preliminary investigations suggest that of about 1,100 producers in Scotland with development plans, two-thirds are due for completion between now and 1986. If production was permitted to increase in line with the development plan forecasts it is estimated that it would total some 90 million litres over 1983 production levels.