§ Mr. LevittTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the value of the ewe premium in each EU country. [20367]
§ Mr. RookerThe final rate of Sheep Annual Premium for the 1997 scheme will not be set until early in the new year. The latest Commission estimate of the premium per ewe applying in all member states of the EU is ECU 14.206. Balance payments in each member state will be made at the premium rate set, (less advances paid) converted into national currency using the conversion rates applying to the scheme on 4 January 1998. At the current conversion rate the estimated total premium in sterling would be £11.50.