§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action he plans to take to secure the continued operation of smaller beef producers; and what estimate he has made of the number of such farmers who still face serious difficulties. [2338]
§ Mr. BaldryThe effects of the current depressed market for beef cattle will be felt by beef producers in enterprises of all sizes. We have never subscribed to the view, often argued by the Commission and other EU member states, that support for agriculture should be concentrated on small family farms at the expense of larger enterprises. All farms will, however, benefit from the £235 million which is being made available from EU and Exchequer funds to support the incomes of beef producers.