§ Mr. Moateasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in finalising arrangements for compensation for livestock lost in the storms and floods earlier this year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopSince my right hon. Friend's announcement on 22nd March, there have been discussions with the farmers' unions on the detailed criteria for making payments out of the fund they have launched to farmers who have lost livestock in the winter storms and floods. It is hoped to reach agreement on these criteria very shortly and then to invite farmers to submit claims.
As my right hon. Friend said, the Government, in addition to administering the fund, will make a contribution to it out of the sum offered by the EEC Commission. It will not be possible to say what contribution can be made in respect of livestock losses until the size of the fund and the extent of the losses are known.—[Vol. 946, c. 550–2.]