§ Sir John FarrAsked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new measures he is taking to improve returns to specialist beef producers.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to the reply, 6 February 1992, column 272]: I am very glad to announce an exceptional payment of nearly £12 million to support specialist beef producers. As a consequence the amount of suckler cow premium paid under the 1991 scheme will rise from £74 million to over £85 million. This will be achieved by raising the premium from £51.69 per cow to £59.64 in the less favoured areas, and from £47.43 per cow to £55.38 elsewhere.
This is a significant increase in support for the suckler cow heard. These increases follow the decision of the Council of Agriculture Ministers to increase the minimum and maximum rates of premium which member states may pay under the 1991 scheme. The rates announced in October were already well above the new minimum rate agreed by the Council. We have nevertheless decided that the rates of premium in the United Kingdom should be increased. This is further evidence of the Government's continuing commitment to promoting quality beef production from the suckler cow herd.