At a meeting with local MPs, council members of Ayrshire NFU executive

emphasised the ''hardship'' that would be caused by the non-payment of

the suckler cow premium to small farmers with a dairy herd.

Other issues discussed included the withdrawal of UK Government

support for the suckler cow premium, the reorganisation of the milk

marketing boards, and the need to retain the Potato Marketing Board. The

MPs agreed to take up these matters with the Ministers concerned.