§ 22. Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what current proposals he has to assist the dairy industry; and if he will make a statement. [122424]
§ Ms QuinThe Action Plan for farming announced on 30 March indicated that we would be paying around £22 million in agri-monetary compensation to dairy farmers this year. It also included the removal of dairy hygiene inspection charges in England. Dairy farmers will also benefit from the lifting of the maximum weight limit on payments under the over-thirty-months scheme from 5 June. In addition my right hon. Friend the Minister announced last autumn the deferral of cattle passport charges worth some £12 million in total to dairy farmers.