§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what basis the level of compensation for the Animal Welfare Disposal scheme was set for(a) new season lambs and (b) ewes in lamb or with lamb. [156653]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 2 April 2001]: The welfare payment for breeding ewes was derived from the pre-FMD value of a breeding ewe with lambs at foot which are normally traded at a fixed price per life. The value for new season lambs that have already been weaned and are being fed concentrates for the early lighter lamb market is a percentage of the expected market value. The rates of payment announced will apply for two months and be reviewed before expiry of the period.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the impact on the value of(a) domestic and (b) overseas United Kingdom livestock trade in each of the next five years based on the assumption of endemic foot and mouth disease. [156917]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 5 April 2001]: No such estimate has been, or will be made. As my hon. Friend knows, the Government are committed to reduce and then completely eradicate the current foot and mouth disease outbreak thus ensuring that FMD does not become endemic in the UK.
§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that RSPCA officers are present during any cull of over 5,000 livestock. [157541]
§ Mr. MorleyThe RSPCA have an open invitation to visit the major culling sites and they have already been to Great Orton several times.
§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will relax the rules regarding set-aside grasslands so that cattle from other farmers can be grazed on such grasslands where feed supplies are running short. [157371]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 6 April 2001]: A derogation from the arable area payment scheme to allow set-aside land to be used for grazing, where foot and mouth disease restrictions prevent movement of the animals, was announced on 16 March.