§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how long farmers in(a) England and (b) Wales had to wait on average for payment of beef premium payments; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackThe EC rules do not allow beef premium payments until 1 November, when a 60 per cent. advance can be made. In England, payments under the beef special premium scheme began in November, and by 8 December, some 40 per cent. of claimants had been paid advances. In Wales, advance payments are expected to begin by early January at the very latest. In both. England and Wales, advance payments under the suckler cow premium scheme are expected to start in January.
§ Mr. HicksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when farmers in south-east Cornwall can expect to receive the initial payment of their special beef premium; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackThe EC rules do not allow advance payments of beef special premium to be made before 1 November. By 8 December, some 40 per cent. of claimants in England had been paid advances. In Devon and Cornwall, the proportion of claimants paid by 8 December was 43 per cent. which was more than the average. Remaining claimants will be paid as quickly as possible.