§ Sir Roger MoateTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the operation of rotational set-aside in United Kingdom relative to other EC countries(a) in general and (b) in respect of reducing the threshold tonnage for cereal production; what is the Government's policy with regard to reducing the number of exempted farms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryWe have received a number of representations about various aspects of the set-aside arrangements under the arable area payments scheme. We have always argued that the threshold for the simplified scheme for small producers, which has no set-aside requirement, should be set at the lowest figure consistent with the need for a de minimis treatment of the very smallest producers.