asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to give extra financial aid to the Pig Disease Eradication Fund Ltd. to meet the costs of the Aujeszky's disease eradication scheme; and if he will make a statement.

We had full discussions with representatives of PDEF on 17 June about their request for Government assistance towards the cost of the Aujeszky's disease control and eradication scheme. My right hon. Friend confirmed, as he had done already to the House of Commons Agriculture Committee, that the scheme had been undertaken at the express wish of producers and on the firm understanding that they would bear the costs of compensation and associated costs. In these circumstances no extra Government money could be made available to PDEF.