Mr. Geraint Howellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present market return to beef producers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Bishop:Beef market prices are seasonally low, but the returns to beef producers are being sustained by payments of variable premium, underpinned by intervention. Our support arrangements are adequate and should contribute to market stability in the current period when the market is well supplied. Moreover, the present target price of 58.10p/five kg will increase over the winter to 63.45p/five kg next March.