§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of reduced production due to set-aside in each year since its inception in tonnes of cereals and meat and also in value at real and 1990 prices.
§ Mr. CurryThe EC Commission has estimated that in the first year of the scheme 362,000 hectares were set aside in the Community representing a saving in production of between 1 million and 2 million tonnes of cereals. Recent information from the Commission suggests that a further 328,000 hectares have been set aside in the second year giving a total of 690,000 hectares which would represent a saving in production of between 1.9 million and 3.8 million tonnes of cereals. The Commission has not made available any estimates of value nor of impact on meat production.