§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the effect on the stability of beef prices if currently discussed changes in the beef premium scheme are undertaken.
§ Mr. Mark RobinsonIt is not possible to quantify the effect on the stability of beef prices if EC proposals to end the beef premium scheme are implemented.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of farmers in Wales who will be affected by the proposed changes in the beef premium scheme.
§ Mr. Mark RobinsonAll beefl producers in Wales would be affected to some extent by the proposed discontinuation of the beef premium scheme. The June 1985 annual census recorded 11,093 main holdings in Wales with beef cows of which 2,320 were predominantly involved in a beef production enterprise. The Government fully recognise the importance of the beef variable premium scheme to both producers and consumers and will press in the common agricultural policy price negotiations for continuation of the scheme.