asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the first cattle headage payments to herd owners in disadvantaged areas were paid out in 1986; the total amount paid out of the 1986 headage before Christmas 1986; and the percentage that amount was of the total payments.
Written Answers. - Cattle Headage Payments.
46.
Because of the poor weather conditions in the Spring of 1986 a special advance of £15 per beef cow was paid to cattle headage and beef cow applicants in disadvantaged areas. These advance payments were made on 24 and 25 April 1986 and amounted to £3.9 million.
Payment of the balance due to applicants commenced on 28 November 1986 and by Christmas a total of £43.6 million, including advances, had been paid. This represented 73% of the total payments.
47.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when it is proposed to start making payments of the cattle headage for herd owners in the disadvantaged areas in respect of 1987; and the percentage of the payments scheduled for payout before Christmas 1987.
It is proposed to start payments under the 1987 cattle and equine headage and beef cow schemes in disadvantged areas before the end of November 1987 and to make about 75% of all payments before Christmas 1987.