Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance

HC Deb 23 March 1993 vol 221 cc547-8W

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many specialist hill sheep farmers in Wales(a) received higher rate hill livestock compensatory allowance and (b) received lower rate hill livestock compensatory allowance in each year since 1979.

Mr. David Hunt

There is a differential in the rate of HLCAs as between payments for ewes in the less-favoured area (severely disadvantaged area)—SDA—and the LFA (disadvantaged area)—DA; and also between hardy breed ewes and other ewes within the SDA. Payment to claimants may be based on a combination of these rates, depending on their individual circumstances; detailed statistics to show the breakdown are not available. However, of almost 15,000 HLCA claimants in Wales, about 61 per cent. have some or all of their land within the LFA (SDA) and will therefore be eligible to have some or all of their claims paid at the rates for ewes in the SDA.