§ Mr. Geraint HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many beef cows there are in Wales; what were the corresponding figures for the last five years; and if he will make a statement about future prospects for the beef sector.
§ Mr. David HuntThe information is as follows:
Number of beef cows in Wales at June: Year Number 1990 203,912 1989 194,266 1988 182,267 1987 178,769 1986 172,931 1985 174,586 Note: Figures are for both main and minor holdings.
The beef market continues to be underpinned by the special intervention arrangements at a cost of some £8 million a week currently; the suckler cow premium has been extended to include small milk producers, and producers in the less-favoured areas will benefit from the increase in the rate for 1991 which is at the maximum level permitted by the EC; and beef producers will also continue 409W to benefit from the higher rate of beef special premium following the green pound devaluation agreed at last year's price-fixing.