§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement concerning his assessment of the prospects of British wool producers in 1991 and 1992.
§ Mr. CurryReturns from wool production form, on average, 5 to 10 per cent. of individual producers' total returns from sheep farming. Prospects for wool producers thus depend on a range of factors, including market prices and input costs. Prices for finished lambs in 1991 so far have been following the usual seasonal trends and prices for British wool, although weak, have shown some improvement in recent sales. In addition, United Kingdom sheep farmers enjoy significant financial support through the EC sheep regime and hill livestock compensatory allowances. This support, which takes account of both market prices and income levels, is likely to total some £394 million in 1990.