Written question asked by David Marshall (Labour) on Thursday, 19 March 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 March 1998. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Thursday, 26 March 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts about amending the Sheep and Goatmeat Regime to enable farmers in the UK to claim support for the raising of cashmere goats.

Answer: Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts about amending the Sheep and Goatmeat Regime to enable farmers in the UK to claim support for the raising of cashmere goats; and if he will make a statement. [36036] Mr. Rooker: The Government have held no such discussions, nor have they any intention to do so. The purpose of the CAP regime for sheepmeat and goatmeat is to support the incomes of farmers producing those meats. In the United Kingdom, cashmere goats are kept primarily not for their meat but for their wool, which the European Union classifies as an industrial, rather than an agricultural product, and is therefore ineligible for support under the CAP.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 309 c269W; 36036
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Agriculture Goats Subsidies Common agricultural policy Goat meat Common sheep meat regime Goat premiums