I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 172 together.
It is intended that certain changes to the disadvantaged areas headage schemes, which form part of the Partnership 2000 agreement will come into effect in 1998. The changes are as follows: a ceiling of £3,024 per applicant will apply.
The eligibility criteria for receipt of the high (£84) rate of grant for beef cows under the cattle headage scheme in more severely handicapped areas and the beef cow scheme in less severely handicapped areas will be brought into line with the eligibility criteria for suckler cows under the suckler cow premium scheme. This in effect means that the high rate of grant will no longer be payable on non-beef breed cows or on in-calf heifers. These animals will continue to be paid the lower £40 or £33 rate of grant. This change will lead to a streamlining and simplification of the scheme.