§ Mr. Moateasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in establishing a comprehensive fund jointly between the Government and the National Farmers' Union to assist farmers who lost livestock in the floods and storms earlier in 1978; and if he will make a statement describing the expected size of the fund, the criteria to be used for paying compensation, and the date when he expects to be in a position to commence payments.
§ Mr. BishopI understand that the farmers' unions' initiative in setting up a fund for contributions towards especially heavy losses of livestock due to abnormal weather last winter has met with an encouraging response, but it is too soon646W to anticipate the final outcome. The criteria for making these contributions are being finalised with the unions and it should soon be possible to invite the farmers affected to make their claims. The sum available from the EEC Disaster Fund also contributes towards other losses and when these have been assessed the allocation to the unions' livestock fund can be determined and payment made.