§ Mr. MolyneauxTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the figures recently supplied to him by the Ulster Farmers Union on the financial position in relation to the finishing of beef cattle in Northern Ireland during last winter and the present winter.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 13 March 1990] : The figures supplied by the Ulster Farmers Union were extracted from "Farm Business Data 1989" which was published by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland in May 1989.
385WThe figures require adjustment in the light of actual price levels and prevailing market conditions during the autumn and winter. When adjusted in this manner and interest charges excluded, the figures show an overall positive gross margin for autumn-purchased stores last winter and a break-even this winter when account is taken of beef special premium payments.
§ Mr. MolyneauxTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he intends to take to improve the financial returns to the finishers of beef cattle in Northern Ireland in respect of cattle finishers during the present winter season.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 13 March 1990]: The Government are seeking a substantial devaluation of the United Kingdom green pound in the context of this year's price-fixing round. We have sought to optimise beef intervention in Northern Ireland in recent months.
Substantial tonnages of beef have been taken off the market recently. This should help to raise producer prices.