asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the net cost of the livestock improvement scheme in the current year; the net provision made for 1988; and the estimated value of the scheme to the agricultural industry.
Written Answers. - Livestock Improvement Scheme.
37.
The net cost inclusive of staff costs of the livestock improvement schemes is estimated at £1.5 million in the current year and £1.14 million for 1988.
The estimated value of the schemes is difficult to assess because they operated in conjuction with industry funded schemes and returns are dispersed over all users and over an extended period of time. However, independent studies of returns on investment for the individual programmes show them to be highly cost effective ranging from 5:1 to over 30:1.