§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps she is taking within the Council of Ministers to resolve beef special premium scheme distortions for 1993.
§ Mr. JackIn March 1994 we were able to secure the European Commissions agreement to a technical adjustment .to the scaling back of 1993 beef special premium claims necessary because the number of claims in 1993 exceeded our regional ceiling. In England and Wales, this adjustment added about £2.50 to the average payment per 1993 beef special premium claimed and about £1.25 to the average payment per extensification premium. Given the increase in total payments under the 1993 scheme compared with previous years, and the very good market prices for beef in 1993, there is no justification for any further adjustments to the scaling back for 1993.