§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from farming organisations concerning extensions of the 25p per kilo live weight supplementary payment until the 30-months slaughter scheme is fully operational; and if he will make a statement. [30700]
§ Mr. HagueI have received a number of representations about the national supplement of 25p per kilogrammes live weight which beef specialists can receive under the over 30-month slaughter scheme.
The Government have extended the qualifying period for this rate until 15 June. Rates will be reviewed regularly thereafter in light of market rates for young cattle as EC regulations limit us to providing no more than the difference between 1 ecu per kilogramme and the market value.
If animals over 30 months of age on 20 March cannot be slaughtered before 15 June they will remain eligible for the top-up payments of 25p.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to introduce a system for consigning animals due to enter the cull scheme to specific collecting centres; and what proposals he has for making arrangements for the relevant interim payments. [30702]
546W
§ Mr. HagueThe over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. Arrangements for consigning cattle to collection centres are matters for those taking part in the scheme, who are best placed to consider their own needs and local circumstances.
I understand the producers will be asked to notify the board of all the animals on which they wish to claim interim payments before the end of June and that payments will be made in the first half of July.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current backlog of(a) steers and heifers over 30 months and (b) cull cows awaiting slaughter in each county in Wales. [30697]
§ Mr. HaguePrecise figures are not available. The total number of clean beef cattle and of cull cows aged over 30 months awaiting slaughter in Wales is estimated at between 15,000 and 20,000.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the date on which producers will receive their interim payment on(a) steers and heifers and (b) cull cows awaiting slaughter. [30701]
§ Mr. HagueThe over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. I understand that producers will be asked to notify the board of all the animals on which they wish to claim interim payments before the end of June and that payments will be made in the first half of July.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from Welsh farming organisations concerning the introduction into Wales of the Scottish random selection system for allocation of animals to collection centres and for subsequent disposal; and if he will make a statement. [30703]
§ Mr. HagueI have had a number of representations regarding the Scottish arrangements for allocation of cattle to selection centres. I understand that this has been organised by those taking part in the over 30-month scheme, who are best placed to consider local circumstances, and to decide priorities.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for the introduction of a cataloguing system for farmers with steers and heifers in the pipeline for the slaughter under the 30 months and over slaughter scheme, to assist in the identification of eligible animals. [30699]
§ Mr. HagueThe over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. Arrangements for consigning cattle to collection centres or abattoirs are matters for those taking part in the scheme, who are best placed to consider their own needs and local circumstances.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what further initiatives he will take to ensure the efficient processing of cattle destined for slaughter under the 30-month BSE regulations; and if he will make a statement. [31134]
547W
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. Arrangements for consigning cattle to collection centres or abattoirs are matters for those taking part in the scheme, who are best placed to consider their own needs and local circumstances.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to increase rendering capacity in Wales. [30998]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesRendering capacity in Great Britain is being made available to all slaughterhouses operating as part of the 30-month slaughter scheme. We are actively considering a variety of options for increasing throughput of cattle under the scheme.