Suckler Cow Premium Mr. Mudd To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the suckler cow premium by putting young bulls into intervention. Mr. Curry My right hon. Friend the Minister has already announced that the suckler cow premium will be paid at the maximum rate allowed under Community legislation in the less-favoured areas, and will be maintained at last year's rate for other producers. This will provide an extra £8 million for beef farmers. Intervention coverage has also been extended, and expenditure so far this year has been over £130 million. It would be difficult to justify any further extension in intervention coverage in view of the substantial cost of existing measures.