Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has made to the European Commission to have the cereal support system in Northern Ireland based upon individual cereal farms; which other community countries have indicated that they prefer the cereal support scheme to be based upon individual cereal farms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyI have been asked to reply.
No representations have been made to the European Commission to have the cereal support system in Northern Ireland based upon individual cereal farms. The EC regulation establishing a support system for cereal producers makes allowance for base areas, but not yields, to be established on either a regional or an individual holding basis. No member states are operating individual base areas this year.