§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will 162W make a statement on the recent working and current prospects of the Dairy Herd Conversion Scheme.
§ Mr. BishopUp to the end of September 1974, 2,935 schemes had been approved. The estimated cost of these approvals is £14.4 million to be paid over the next three years, half of which is recoverable from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. Under the present regulation these grants are only available to farmers who apply by 31st December 1974.
The EEC Commission is at present preparing a report on the operation of the scheme in the Community generally and a decision whether to recommend its continuance beyond the end of this year will be taken in the light of this report.