asked the Minister for Agriculture the steps he proposes to take to arrest the present trend in cow slaughterings.
Written Answers. - Cow Slaughterings.
346.
At the livestock enumeration last June total cow numbers at 2,069,500 were the same as at June 1984. While there was subsequently some rise in cow slaughterings the upward trend has since slackened. In the national plan, Building on Reality, the Government have already announced their intention, subject to EC clearance, to raise the level of grant-aid under the disadvantaged areas scheme from £32 to £70 per beef cow in 1986. This will provide substantial encouragement to increase cow numbers.