§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has received on discrepancy of treatment of English and Welsh farmers under the arable area aid scheme; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackSince the beginning of the year my right hon. Friend has received 12 representations on Welsh regionalisation arrangements from Members of the House and from farming organisations. These have suggested that area payments to Welsh arable farmers should be at the same level as those to English farmers. Arable area payments are based on historic average cereal yields, as required by EC legislation, and these are lower in Wales than in England.