asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make 30 per cent headage payments available now to farmers; if he will make an interest free loan of £1,000 available, and if he will extend the feed voucher scheme outside the disadvantage areas.
134.
Written Answers. - Aids to Farming.
126.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will immediately authorise an advance payment of all headage grants for western farmers.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 134 together. Since mid-December 1985, advance payments of 30 per cent of the ewe premium amounting to £4.90 per ewe and totalling £7.2 million have been made to 23,600 sheep owners in the disadvantaged areas. On 24 and 25 April headage advances of £15 per suckler cow and totalling £4 million were made to 44,500 beef cow farmers in these areas. No further advance payments are contemplated at present.
The introduction of interest free loans would have little impact on the fodder situation. In any event such loans usually involve protracted negotiations with the lending institutions and are more appropriate as a medium to long term option.