Beef (Hansard, 2 December 1988)

§ Mr. Beggs
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he will put forward to provide alternative financial support for Northern Ireland beef farmers for the anticipated loss of £2.2 million should the proposal to end calf premium on 31 December be implemented.

§ Mr. Viggers
The ending of calf premium in Northern Ireland cannot be considered in isolation from the European Commission's overall proposals for revision of the beef regime. It is the Government's intention to seek adequate and fair premium support for beef producers in all areas of the United Kingdom.

§ Mr. Beggs
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to oppose any limitations of numbers of male animals eligible for Euro-premium and seek to persuade the European Commission that beef produced from maiden heifers in Northern Ireland should qualify for any headage payment paid out on male animals.

§ Mr. Viggers
The European Commission's proposals for reform of the beef regime include termination of the beef variable premium and calf premium and the introduction of a special premium on male animals, subject to a headage limit, and an increase in the suckler cow premium. Difficult and detailed negotiations on this proposed package are still in progress. The Government's objectives are to seek adequate and fair premium support for beef producers in all parts of the United Kingdom at a reasonable cost to the Community budget and the United Kingdom taxpayer.

§ Mr. Beggs
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will seek to extend the operation of the United Kingdom beef variable premium until at least the end of the beef marketing year.

§ Mr. Viggers
If it is decided to discontinue the beef variable premium, the Government will seek adequate arrangements for orderly transition to any new premium system which is agreed. I cannot at this stage give any specific commitment on timing of changes because this depends on the progress of negotiations in and decisions by the EC Council of Agriculture Ministers.

§ Mr. Beggs
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many beef cows in Northern Ireland herds do not qualify for premium because of the rules relating to the proportion of income derived from farming and the428W proportion of time spent on the farm; what is the estimated loss of income by these rules to the Northern Ireland agriculture industry annually; and if he will seek to amend these rules so that all beef cows qualify for full premiums payable.

§ Mr. Viggers
The information is not available in the form requested. In the 1987–88 scheme year income checks were applied to 4,468 claims in Northern Ireland and as a result 1,569 claims (involving 6,224 cows and some £208,000 in premium) were withdrawn or failed the main occupation test. The qualifying rules of the beef cow premium scheme are laid down in EC legislation. They will be considered during the current review of the EC beef support arrangements. Any proposed amendment such as removal of the main occupation test will be studied carefully with regard to its budgetary and administrative impact.