§ 27. Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next expects to meet representatives of the farming community to discuss the crisis in the countryside. [27083]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI am planning to meet representatives of the National Farmers Union shortly. During last year both my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary and myself travelled extensively through Wales and met members of the farming community.
I welcome the recent announcement by the National Assembly for Wales that they have spent almost £28 million to the end of December to help the rural economy recover from the effects of foot and mouth disease. In Wales, this is in addition to over £51 million paid out as compensation for culled animals and over £60 million paid out under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme.