§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he has taken to assist beef farmers in Wales. [33534]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsThe Government recognise the serious problems that the current difficulties have created for the agriculture industry and we have responded positively. Just before Christmas the Government announced an aid package worth £85 million for the livestock industry. This exceptional and one off aid package is both substantial and realistic given the 655W pressures on public spending. This is in addition to the £1.4 billion already budgeted to support the beef sector during the current financial year.
We have also recently announced that some £70 million will be paid by the Government in meeting the costs of BSE related schemes. In order to help the industry through this period, charges for implementing Specified Risk Material controls on cattle, sheep and goats will not now be recovered from the industry from 1 April 1998, as previously planned. Additionally, the entire start-up costs and the first year of the running costs, including enforcement, of the new computerised Cattle Tracing System will be funded by the Government.
The right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales met representatives of the Farmers' Union of Wales, the National Farmers' Union and the Country Landowners' Association on 9 February to discuss the long term future of Welsh agriculture.