Written question asked by James Paice (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 December 2000. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 December 2000 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, when he will lay the statutory instrument to implement the proposed pig welfare levy; and when he expects the first payment to be made to producers affected by classical swine fever. - Inc figures. (Holding answer 18 December 2000).

Answer: Mr. Paice: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will lay the statutory instrument to implement the proposed pig welfare levy; and when he expects the first payment to be made to producers affected by classical swine fever. [142891] Ms Quin: [holding answer 18 December 2000]: The Government have already paid out over £3.7 million under the Pig Welfare (Disposal) Scheme to producers caught by movement controls brought in to prevent the spread of classical swine fever. As matters stand currently, over £8.5 million will be paid to producers under this scheme. The only vehicle available to introduce a producer levy to provide funding for an industry top-up to these Government payments is a development scheme under the 1967 Agriculture Act. The formal consultation period on a development scheme began on 24 November and will end on 23 January 2001. If, after examining any objections, the industry decides to ask Agriculture Ministers to proceed with a scheme, we would aim to lay the statutory instrument before this House very quickly after receiving the request.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 360 c133W; 142891
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Compensation Diseases Disease control Payments Pigs Subsidies Swine fever Pig welfare disposal scheme
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk