§ Mr. HoggTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the reduction in farmers incomes that will result from the most recently announced reduction in the cull cow compensation rate. [6687]
§ Mr. RookerThe reduction in farmers' income from compensation resulting from the reduction in the compensation rate for cull cows slaughtered under the Over-Thirty Months Scheme (OTMS) will depend on the number of animals coming forward for slaughter at the end of their productive lives and the weight of such 297W animals. However, for an average dairy farmer culling out 10 cows per year, the reduction in income is likely to be of the order of £375.
§ Mr. HoggTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he had with representatives of the farming industry before his recent announcement of a reduction in the cull cow compensation rate. [6688]
§ Mr. RookerMy colleagues and I have had several meetings with representatives of the farming industry since 1 May. While there was no specific consultation on the cut in the compensation rate for cull cows before the announcement, my colleagues and I are fully aware of beef farmers concerns over the state of the industry, and their views on the Over-Thirty Months Scheme in particular.