§ 18. Sir Hector Monroasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present level of the United Kingdom beef breeding herd.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithAt the beginning of December 1981, the most recent date for which information is available, United Kingdom beef cow numbers totalled 1.410 million head and dairy cow numbers, from which we obtain about two-thirds of our beef supplies, totalled 3.295 million head.
§ 27. Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any further plans to stimulate the beef breeding herd; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithBeef producers' returns have recovered during the past year, during which the variable beef premium, the suckler cow premium and the highest ever level of hill livestock compensatory allowances have been in force. Further measures to assist beef producers will be considered in the common agricultural policy price negotiations.