§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the present state of the beef industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe December 1986 sample census figures show that the Welsh beef breeding herd has increased by 4.9 per cent. compared with December 1985 and there was an encouraging increase of 11.4 per cent. in the number of heifers in calf intended for the beef rearing herd.
The agreement obtained at the December 1986 Agriculture Council secured the beef variable premium scheme, under which £5.3 million was paid to producers in Wales in 1986–87, for a further two years, and took steps to cut back intervention. These changes will bring the regime more into line with market realities and provide producers with greater assurance for the longer-term stability of the sector. In addition, specialist beef producers continue to beneft from the suckler cow premium (increased to £33.40 per eligible animal for 1987–88) which was worth £3.5 million in Wales in 1985–86.