§ 20. Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the state of beef farming in Wales. [21982]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced proposals for a one-off £85 million package on 22 December 1997,Official Report, columns 677–98. It included £60 million under the terms of the agrimoney compensation rules and £25 million for Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances. This aid is contingent upon approval by the European Commission and will be in addition to the £1.4 billion already budgeted to support the beef sector during the current financial year. This is in addition to significant funding in 1997–98 for the beef sector. Every effort is being made to have the export ban lifted. Nevertheless the beef sector remains in long term structural surplus and reform of the CAP beef regime is essential.