§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the method of payment of the special premium which is to be introduced to replace the beef variable premium scheme;
(2) what male animals will qualify for the special premium after abolition of the beef variable premium scheme; and how the numbers so entitled will be verified.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonAs a result of the agreement reached by the EC Council of Agriculture Ministers at its meeting on 23–24 January 1989, the United Kingdom's beef variable premium is to be replaced by a premium on male cattle paid at a rate of £28.42 per head up to a maximum of 90 head per producer.
The premium is payable once only in the lifetime of each animal. We have the option to pay the premium either on animals retained by the producer on his holding, or on animals sold by producers for slaughter whether sold direct to slaughterhouses or through liveweight auction markets. The Government are currently considering which of these two systems should be applied and the appropriate administrative arrangements for ensuring compliance with the 90 head limit. The legal texts implementing the arrangements have yet to be agreed and adopted by the Council. The intention is that the new arrangements should come into effect on 3 April 1989.