§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the present state of the sheep industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe sheep industry in Wales has benefited considerably from the EC sheepmeat regime, and the breeding flock has been increasing by 2 to 3 per cent. annually. Producers in Wales benefit from the sheep variable premium scheme for finished lambs—worth £22.7 million in 1986–87, and from the sheep annual premium scheme on breeding ewes worth £37.9 million in 1986–87. In addition hill livestock compensatory allowances on sheep totalled 19.8 million in Wales in 1986.