§ Sir G. de Freitasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made with arrangements to assist farmers who suffered livestock losses due to severe weather last winter.
§ Mr. John SilkinI have been advised by the farmers' unions that the fund they set up to assist farmers in Great Britain who suffered livestock losses last winter now exceeds £110,000. The Government, for their part, have decided to make available to the fund about £300,000 from the aid provided by the EEC towards losses due to last winter's severe weather. Farmers who suffered heavy losses of breeding stock are now being invited to apply for assistance from the fund. Full details are being made available by the Agricultural Departments jointly with the farmers' unions. My Ministry's cash limit is being increased by £200,000 for this purpose.