§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the state of the beef industry in Wales.
§ Mr. David HuntThe December 1989 sample census figures showed that the Welsh beef breeding herd had increased by 6 per cent. compared with December 1988. Specialist beef producers have also benefited from last year's 42 per cent. increase in the rate of suckler cow premium which was worth some £8 million to producers in Wales in the 1989–90 scheme year; and hill livestock compensatory allowance payments on cattle in 1989 amounted to more than £8 million.
Following the devaluation of the green pound agreed at the 1990 price fixing, support prices have increased by 8.5 per cent. with the rate of beef special premium increasing from £29.19 to £31.80 a head from May 1990.
Although market prices are currently depressed, the beef intervention system can now be managed very flexibly to provide support where it is most needed.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the effect on beef production in Wales of France's continuing ban on British beef; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntIt is not possible to separate the effects of the illegal French ban from other factors which affect the beef market.