§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers will be eligible to take part in the proposed early retirement scheme(a) nationally and (b) in Shropshire. [27181]
§ Mr. MorleyWe are still considering what role the EU's early retirement scheme might play in the Government's long term objectives of restructuring the livestock sector. The industry will be fully consulted when we have developed our thoughts on the restructuring plan.
Our initial thoughts are that any early retirement scheme would be open to beef and sheep producers. The number who could apply for such a scheme cannot be determined until the basic eligibility criteria have been set.