§ Mr. Geoffrey Johnson Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has of the number of dairy herds in England and Wales in the autumn, following the recent common agricultural policy agreement and the phasing out of the conversion scheme from milk to beef.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe number of milk producers registered with the Milk Marketing Board for England and Wales in May this year was 43,018. I cannot estimate what the number will be in the 581W autumn. The scheme for conversion from milk to beef or sheep has been extended to the end of the current marketing year.