§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what particular steps he is taking to help the beef producers.
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§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithBeef producers are being helped by variable premium payments worth up to £35 or so per animal, by market support in the form of intervention purchases at the rate of over 1,000 tonnes a week, and by subsidies for the private storage of beef. In addition, specialist beef producers benefit from the suckler cow premium worth £12.37 per animal, and the hill livestock compensatory allowance worth £35 per animal.
§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the support mechanism for beef is being operated to achieve the target prices producers might reasonably expect; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithAll the market support mechanisms are operating fully. But the fall in the value of hides and offals has depressed producers' returns. I am concerned about the situation and I am keeping it under close review.