§ Lord Mackie of Benshieasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to extend the premium paid in respect of certain untupped ewes in certain hill areas to other similar breeds and areas.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)The Council of Agriculture Ministers' meeting on 9th-10th December adopted a proposal to extend sheep annual premium to untupped shearlings of the Herdwick breed in the Lake District with effect from the beginning of the new marketing year. While welcoming this so far as the Herdwick breed is concerned, the outcome is not satisfactory since we believe that certain other breeds and areas are similarly affected. We shall pursue this point further.