§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the entitlement of British farmers to European small cereal producers' aid in respect of the harvests of 1987 and 1988, respectively; and what action he is taking to encourage the taking up of this entitlement.
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§ Mr. MacGregor[holding answer 25 May 1988]: Farmers have until 31 July 1988 to submit claims for small cereals producer aid in respect of the 1987 harvest.
Cereal producers with not more than 100 hectares of crops and grass (excluding rough grazing) are eligible for the aid, provided that they can show that cereals co-responsibility levy has been deducted on their grain sales during the 1987–88 marketing year.
The amount payable will be £3.53 per tonne on a minimum of 3 tonnes and a maximum of 25 tonnes of grain (£88.25). However, this amount per tonne will be reduced if the total amount claimed by all producers is more than 5.35 million ecu (£3.51 million), which is the amount allocated to the United Kingdom for payment of this aid.
All producers who claimed the aid in 1987, have been sent a claim form. Others who are eligible should apply to their local MAFF divisional office for a form. I am anxious to ensure that there is the widest possible uptake of this aid.
It has been agreed that small cereal producers will continue to receive aid in respect of the 1988 harvest, but the details are still under discussion.