§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restrictions affect the purchase of(a)agricultural and (b) industrial land by (i) citizens and (ii) companies in (A) EU member states and (B) candidates for membership. [113146]
§ Mr. CabornI have been asked to reply.
Under the terms of the EC Treaty, there are no restrictions affecting the purchase of agricultural and industrial land by citizens and companies in EU member states. As regards the candidate countries, there is currently a range of restrictions on the purchase by EU citizens and companies of agricultural and industrial land in the different states. Compliance with the Single Market acquis means that these restrictions should be removed on accession. The EU will respond later in the negotiation process to applicants' requests for transition periods, to allow the retention of some restrictions for a limited period after accession.