§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to speed up the payment to farmers of money owed by his Department in respect of arable crop payments. [60404]
§ Mr. MacdonaldPayments to Scottish farmers under the 1998 Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS) started on 16 October, the earliest date allowed under EU legislation, and some two months earlier than in 1997. To date, some 80 per cent. of arable farmers in Scotland have received over £78 million under the 1998 scheme. The remainder will be paid once they have passed all the necessary validation checks.