§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider paying the additional permitted subsidy under the recently introduced EEC breeding cow subsidy to producers in Northern Ireland, in order to render the EEC subsidy effective in halting the decline in beef breeding herd; and if he will exert pressure on the EEC Commission to extend its existing subsidy from full-time farmers to all farmers so 368W that all Northern Ireland producers might benefit.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI regret that in the present economic circumstances, with the overriding need to contain public expenditure, it will not be possible to pay a national supplement in respect of the suckler cow premium scheme.
The conditions of eligibility were agreed by the Council of Ministers and cannot be altered unilaterally by the Commission. The requirement that farming be the main occupation was included because certain member States would not have been prepared to agree to any beef cow premium scheme if it had been extended to part-time farmers.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether, in the light of the fact that the variable premium scheme for the beef industry in Northern Ireland is currently not achieving either of its objectives, and that the total return for beef in Northern Ireland is currently about £40 per head below the target price, he will propose structural changes in the scheme and seek the consent of the EEC Commission to such changes;
(2) if he will make representations to the EEC Commission to take steps to curb and reduce imports of beef and livestock to the EEC from third countries, in view of the slump in the beef industry in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.