§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list which EU member states(a) intend to make single farm payments to fruit growers and (b) do not. [166025]
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§ Alun MichaelUnder EU legislation governing the Single Payment Scheme, land under permanent crops, including top fruit, is not eligible to use in support of a payment claim in any member state. However, land used to grow soft fruit will be eligible in those member states and regions which adopt the flat rate or 'hybrid' payment models. Our current understanding is that Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Luxembourg, in addition to England, Northern Ireland, are likely to adopt such models. We expect that no payments will be made in respect of land used for fruit production in the remaining member states, nor in Scotland and Wales.