Question
If he will list (a) the methods by which compensation has been directed to farmers in Wales since the onset of the BSE crisis, (b) the level of expenditure in Wales under each of these headings and (c) the amount of each expenditure item in Wales that is recoverable from the European Union. - Including figure.
Answer
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list (a) the methods by which compensation has been directed to farmers in Wales since the onset of the BSE crisis, (b) the level of expenditure in Wales under each of these headings and (c) the amount of each expenditure item in Wales that is recoverable from the European Union. [3393] Mr. Hague: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 24 July 1996, Official Report, columns 532-33. Subsequent to that reply, additional expenditure has been agreed as follows: Approximately £160 million from EU funds for direct support to UK beef producers. Over £100 million--of this, £10.46 million in Wales--has already been disbursed through supplementary payments to the beef special premium and suckler cow premium schemes and through the beef marketing payments scheme. Some £89 million from national funds for direct support to UK beef producers. £60 million of this sum has been earmarked for distribution to eligible cattle producers under the 1997 hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme. £16.6 million for extra cold storage capacity to help reduce the backlog of animals awaiting slaughter under the over-30-month scheme. Disaggregated levels of expenditure for Wales are not held by the Intervention Board Executive Agency which is responsible for running the majority of BSE-related schemes in the UK. A detailed breakdown of the latest BSE expenditure forecasts will be given in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's forthcoming Budget statement.