§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of farms in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland which would be eligible for the post-transitional single farm payment would receive payments exceeding (i) 50,000, (ii) 75,000, (iii) 100,000, (iv) 125,000, (v) 150,000, (vi) 175,000, (vii) 200,000, (viii) 250,000 and (ix) 300,000 euros. [172484]
§ Alun MichaelPayment entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme in England and Northern Ireland will be allocated on the bases of eligible land declared in 2005. It is not possible to provide the information sought until all claims have been received and processed. Payment arrangements for Scotland and Wales are a matter for the devolved Administrations.
§ David MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average subsidy payment in Cumbria was in(a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001 and (d) 2002. [169077]
§ Alun MichaelThe following table represents the average subsidy payment to farmers in Cumbria from 1999 to 2002. These are European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) financial years which run from 16 October o 15 October.
EAGGF Year Average subsidy Number of claimants
Value of payments
19911 6,134.41 4,540 27,850,196.65 2000 12,219.08 5,113 62,476,159.75 2001 12,149.86 5,171 62,826,951.00 2002 9,567.28 5,055 48,362,622.32 1 The figures quoted for 1999 relate to the period from 1 March of that year when the Rural Payments Agency introduced its new
accounting system.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what 1741W (a) discussions she has had and (b) assessment she has made of future agricultural support payments in (i) uplands and (ii) severely disadvantaged areas. [166445]
§ Alun MichaelMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had discussions with, and received representations from, a wide range of interests on the subject. As a result she made a written statement to the House on 22 April. Eligible farmers in the uplands and the severely disadvantaged areas will receive the single farm payment, and will continue to be eligible for other schemes such as the Hill Farm Allowance and agri-environment schemes (which are currently being reviewed). The need for assistance to these or other areas will need to be re-examined in the context of the new EU Rural Development Regulation which will come into effect in 2007, and the changing needs of sustainable development in the uplands.