EXTRA PAYMENTS TO FARMERS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25179, 9 May 1947, Page 7

EXTRA PAYMENTS TO FARMERS

LAND AFFECTED BY FLOODS (Bnecisl Correspondent Kffjl.l 1 _ , LONDON. May 7. The Minister of Agriculture <Mr Tom Williams) has Introduced a pew bill giving him power to make extra . acreage payments to farmers land has-been affected by toe recent floods. The measure is designed chiefly to encourage farmers who were obliged to sow late, because of flooding, and who, therefore, run more than the nornjai risk of lon. The payments will vary from £3;an acre for various fodder crop* to *l5 ( an acre for potatoes. It is estimated ■■ that the scheme will cost £2,500£W i > in Fneland and WalesAnother section ot the bill varies the provision* of toe Hill Farming Act of 1946 so that hill farmers who suffered heavy lasses of sheep durtag toe winter can claim subsidies based upon the size of their flock* before the blizzards. Immediate advance* ot subsidy money may be made to assist fanner* who are in need. This section of th* , bill is expected to cost more than £2,000,000. The measure has been widely welcomed by toe farming community. The latest estimates ot the Ministry give the number of sheep lost, at 1,188,000.