To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps will be taken to ensure that Northern Ireland and objective 1 regions are allocated the full finance as stipulated by the European Commission in respect of the suckler cow premium.

The rate of suckler cow premium is being increased by £7·95 to £59·64 per cow in the less favoured areas and £55·38 elsewhere. This rate will apply throughout the United Kingdom. Funding was not available to meet the costs of paying the extra £2·40 to all United Kingdom producers.