HC Deb 19 January 2000 vol 342 cc492-3W
10. Mr. Paterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on prospects for the Welsh livestock industry and their implications for the economy of cross-border areas. [103496]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I meet the First Secretary on a weekly basis and we discuss a range of issues, including the Welsh livestock industry. I am acutely aware of the long-term problems facing Welsh agriculture, which is heavily dependent on livestock, and the current difficulties.

A number of steps have been taken to address the difficulties faced by the farming community such as the package announced last September by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and measures introduced by the Assembly. However our priority must be to restructure the industry to produce a stable, sustainable and prosperous future for Welsh farming and I know that this is something which the Assembly is working towards.