HC Deb 04 December 1995 vol 268 cc54-5W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will commission a survey of arable areas throughout the European Union by the Western European Union satellite centre to facilitate a scientific comparison between the arrangements made by member states to secure compliance with common agricultural policy regulations including set-aside areas. [3259]

Mr. Baldry

No. Most EU member states carry out remote sensing checks on arable areas including set-aside land, using satellite imagery or aerial photography as part of an EC Commission co-financed programme. Discrepancies found are followed up by individual member states and results monitored by the EC Commission. These measures, together with those applied by all member states under the integrated administration control system, are designed to ensure compliance with CAP regulations.