asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will ensure that changes will be made in the regulations in order that the special beef premium is paid to farmers, when the animal has two permanent teeth rather than at nine months old, to benefit the winter feeder and beef fattener whose margins have declined seriously.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
103.
I do not envisage any further changes in the application of the special beef premium scheme other than those agreed at the Council of Agriculture Ministers this week which involve increasing the amount payable from 18 to 40 ECUs per animal and raising the headage limit from 50 to 90 animals per holding.