Agriculture (Hansard, 29 October 1990)

§ 23. Mr. Livsey
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the current state of Welsh agriculture.

§ Mr. David Hunt
My hon. Friend the Minister of State and I have, over recent months, discussed the current state of the agriculture industry in Wales with the farming unions and other interested bodies and individuals and I am fully seized of the current problems, particularly in the livestock sector. The Government have taken a number of positive steps to help meet present concerns. Intervention support for beef is currently costing over £6 million per week in the United Kingdom. The rate of suckler cow premium has been raised in the LFA to the maximum level permitted under EC rules and the two advance payments of sheep annual premium recently announced will bring an estimated cash flow benefit of £25 million to producers in Wales.

§ 24. Mr. Geraint Howells
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the present state of the agriculture industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. David Hunt
I am well aware of the problems currently being experienced by the agriculture industry in Wales, particularly in the livestock sector. My hon. Friend the Minister of State and I have, in recent months, had discussions with the farming unions and other interested bodies and individuals.
The Government have taken a number of positive steps to help. Intervention support for beef is currently costing over £6 million per week in the United Kingdom. The rate of suckler cow premium has been raised in the LFA to the maximum level permitted under EC rules and the two advance payments of sheep annual premium recently announced will bring an estimated cash flow benefit of £25 million to producers in Wales.