Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimate he has made of the number of hill sheep farmers in Cumbria who will suffer a reduction in income due to the change in hill livestock compensatory allowances; and what plans he has to compensate such farmers;
(2) if he will make a statement on the impact of the reduction of hill livestock compensatory allowances on hill sheep farmers in Cumbria.
§ Mr. CurryAbout 2,300 farmers in Cumbria will be affected by the reduction in sheep headage payment rates374W under the 1993 hill livestock compensatory allowances scheme. The resultant loss of income by the hill sheep sector in Cumbria will be more than offset by significant increases in the 1992 ewe premium, the final instalment of which will be paid in the spring.
Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average level of income for hill sheep farmers in Cumbria for each year since 1978–79; and what was the percentage change each year.