asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he is considering introducing a grant/loan scheme to maintain the beef cow herd as outlined in the Programme for National Recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
84.
Grants of £70 and £66 were paid for the first time on beef cows in dairy herds under the 1988 disadvantaged areas scheme. The EC Commission agreed to extend the date of eligibility for the beef cow suckler premium scheme from the end of November to the end of January and the rate of premium was increased from £38 to £52 per cow for the 1989 scheme. With the encouragement provided by these measures, the beef cow herd increased from 456,300 to 560,700 between June 1987 and June 1989, an increase of 104,400 or 23 per cent.