§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much additional aid to farmers has been announced by the French Government following incidents involving British sheep and if this additional aid is subject to EEC approval.
§ Mr. CurryOn 31 August the French Government announced a package of national aid, costing some £120 million, giving immediate help to livestock farmers affected by the drought. A further package of aid to these farmers was announced on 26 September. This involves a three-year restructuring programme; the cost in the first year (1991) will be around £35 million. All national aids must be approved by the European Commission.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the price support system for sheep in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) France; how much is spent on such protection; and what price is guaranteed per pound for producers.
§ Mr. CurryThe sheep industry in the United Kingdom currently benefits under various support schemes, including particularly the sheep annual premium and the sheep variable premium: sheep producers in less-favoured areas also benefit from hill livestock compensatory allowances. These support payments are made under European Community schemes and, with the exception of sheep variable premium which is payable in Great Britain only and is to be phased out by the end of 1992 at the latest, are available in all member states. In 1989, sheep annual premium and sheep variable premium expenditure amounted to 423 million ecu in the United Kingdom and 196 million ecu in France. The 1990 basic price under the sheepmeat regime is 303.6p/kg (137.7p/lb), but this is subject to seasonal adjustment and the operation of the stabiliser mechanism.