Arable Aid

HC Deb 10 January 1995 vol 252 cc46-7W

Mr. Battle

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the yield figures set for land in(a) less-favoured areas and (b) non less-favoured areas in the calculation of arable aid payments in each of the three counties of Yorkshire and Humberside for the 1994–95 marketing year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jack

The yield figures used in the calculation of the arable area aid payments in England are the same for both less-favoured areas and non less-favoured areas and also for each county. For cereals, protein crops, linseed and set-aside areas this 5.93 tonne per hectare and for oilseed crops it is 3.08 tonnes per hectare.

These figures are based on the average yield for cereals and oilseeds in England over the five years from 1986–87 to 1990–91, excluding the highest and lowest figures.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much a farmer growing cereals will be paid in arable aid for each hectare of cereals grown in 1994–95 in each of the three counties of Yorkshire and Humberside in(a) less-favoured areas and (b) non less-favoured areas; what are the figures for the year 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jack

The arable area payment for cereals grown in 1994–95 will be 265 ecu per hectare. The sterling equivalent of this can not be calculated until the green rate for ecu conversion is known for 10 July 1995. However, it is expected that it will be approximately £247 per hectare. The figure will be same for both less-favoured areas and non less-favoured areas in England.,

The arable area payment for cereals grown in England in 1993–94 is £193.53 per hectare.

The increase is the final one planned under the arable area payments scheme to compensate for reductions in intervention prices for cereals.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out by county a breakdown of the 1994 area payments scheme.

Mr. Jack

I am unable to provide the information requested by the hon. Member at the moment. However, I will write to him with this information as soon as it is available.