§ 10. Mr. BluntTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he had made of the impact of Government policy on Britain's livestock farmers. [155687]
§ Mr. MorleyLivestock farmers will receive some £735 million in 2000–01 by way of payments under the principal EU livestock schemes—for suckler cows, beef cattle and sheep. In the present difficult circumstances, we have taken steps to ensure that farmers who have lost animals as a result of foot and mouth disease preserve their entitlement to premiums. In addition, the Government are paying compensation at full market value 283W for animals slaughtered because of FMD, and have made available compensation under the optional Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme for those farmers who face immediate welfare difficulties, £156 million of optional agrimonetary compensation is about to be paid to livestock farmers.