HC Deb 19 November 1987 vol 122 cc658-9W
32. Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the potential of the Cambridge breed of sheep.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The Ministry has conducted assessments of the breed and I shall write to my hon. Friend about our findings.

48. Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present state of the sheep sector.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The sheep sector is buoyant, returns are good and exports are encouraging.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next proposes meeting representatives of the Farmers Union of Wales to discuss problems in the sheep industry.

Mr. Donald Thompson

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said today in reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas), we will continue to stay in close touch with the farmers' unions, including representatives of the Farmers Union of Wales, to discuss in particular matters of common concern on the review of the EC sheepmeat regime.

Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of the farming unions to discuss the sheep sector; and what was the outcome of that meeting.

Mr. Donald Thompson

My agricultural colleagues and I continue to stay in close touch with representatives of the farmers' unions. The unions have made clear their concern over a number of aspects of the Commission's proposals as indicated by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in his reply today to the Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas).