HC Deb 19 December 2001 vol 377 c434W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the largest single payment to an individual for having land in set-aside in this financial year. [23708]

Mr. Morley

The payment period for land put into set-aside under the Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS) during 2001 began on 16 November and will end on 31 January 2002 (or 31 March 2002 where the set-aside has been used for growing non-food crops).

The largest payment for set-aside recorded so far is £110,492.14. The DEFRA financial database does not distinguish between payments to private individuals and those to other legal entities.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was paid from 1 January to the latest available date in respect of set-aside land. [23709]

Mr. Morley

DEFRA has so far issued payments totalling £56,168,779.92 during 2001 in respect of set-aside under the Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS). This total includes payments for scheme years before 2001, and agrimonetary compensation.