§ Mr. MuddTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider interim relief for farmers in less-favoured areas by introducing the special premium scheme for ewes during the current financial year.
§ Mr. CurryThe payment to producers in the less-favoured areas (LFAs) of an additional 4 ecu per ewe in sheep annual premium, due to come into effect from the 1991 marketing year, could not be made this year without a proposal from the European Commission and agreement by member states. This is unlikely to happen. All sheep producers, however, will benefit from the decision to bring forward the second advance of annual premium; and we have decided to pay suckler cow premium at the maximum possible rate in the LFAs.
§ Mr. MuddTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will monitor beef and lamb imports from eastern Europe with a view to reducing the volume if it proves detrimental to the interests of British producers.
§ Mr. CurryI have made clear to the Commission our concern about the effects which such imports might have on the market and the need to monitor the situation closely.