§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts about amending the Sheep and Goatmeat Regime to enable farmers in the UK to claim support for the raising of cashmere goats; and if he will make a statement. [36036]
§ Mr. RookerThe Government have held no such discussions, nor have they any intention to do so. The purpose of the CAP regime for sheepmeat and goatmeat is to support the incomes of farmers producing those meats. In the United Kingdom, cashmere goats are kept primarily not for their meat but for their wool, which the European Union classifies as an industrial, rather than an agricultural product, and is therefore ineligible for support under the CAP.
§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of goatmeat was imported from New Zealand in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [36034]
§ Mr. RookerA total of 707 kg of New Zealand goatmeat was imported into the United Kingdom during 1997.
§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the demand for goatmeat in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [36035]
§ Mr. RookerBecause no financial support is provided to UK producers of goatmeat, the Government do not attempt to forecast or monitor the development of this market.