HL Deb 20 July 1998 vol 592 c67WA
Baroness Jeger

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the present annual subsidy being paid from the common agricultural policy funds to tobacco growers in the European Union; and what proportion of this is paid by United Kingdom taxpayers. [HL2727]

The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)

In 1997, the EU spent 998 million ecu (£670 million*) on subsidies under the EU tobacco regime.

Member states contribute to the EU budget as a whole and not to any particular part. Our contribution is about 17 per cent before our Fontainebleau abatement is taken into account.

Note:

* using an exchange rate of 1 ecu = £0.67128.