§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding436W the increased payments to hill farmers announced on 22 December 1997; and if he will make a statement about his decision not to allocate the total compensation to the LFA. [28735]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 10 February 1998]: The Department has received a great many representations following my right hon. Friend's statement on 22 December 1997, Official Report, columns 677–79. EU rules on agrimonetary compensation limit the extent to which Member States can favour one type of production over another by concentrating aid on particular groups of recipients. Cattle and sheep farmers outside the less favoured areas (LFA) have also been affected by green rate revaluations, and, in our judgment, the balance of the revised package announced on 3 February 1998, Official Report, columns 591–92, is fully justified and equitable.