§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what subsidies are paid to beef farmers in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other European Union countries. [23358]
§ Mr. RookerBeef farmers in all EU Member States, including the UK, may apply for subsidies under two EU-funded headage Schemes. The Suckler Cow Premium (SCP) Scheme provides an annual payment in respect of female breeding animals, while the Beef Special Premium (BSP) Scheme provides either one or two payments in respect of each male animal fattened for slaughter. Automatic "extensification" payments are made under both schemes to claimants with stocking rates below set levels. Additional EU-funded SCP payments are made to producers in geographical areas within the Union, including Northern Ireland, which meet certain economic and agricultural criteria. Limited nationally funded SCP payments are also made in some Member States. A Deseasonalisation Premium, designed to encourage a more even pattern of slaughterings throughout the year, may also be paid to producers in Member States where concentration of slaughtering in a certain time frame has historically proved a problem. All EU producers in Less Favoured Areas may additionally claim under national schemes (part-EU funded) designed to offset the structural handicap they face. In the UK, payments are made per head of eligible breeding cow under the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances scheme.