§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria are used in EEC member States in determining the distribution at farm level of funds under various Community schemes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Community measures dealing with support prices, export refunds and intervention determine 173W how expenditure under the guarantee section of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund is distributed at farm level. The distribution of funds under the guidance section depends mainly on the extent to which farms are eligible for aid under the various Community guidance measures and the extent to which those who have eligible farms apply for the aid and comply with the conditions.
§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what national financial aids are currently available to farmers in EEC member States; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithA wide variety of national financial aids are available to farmers in the EEC. They are subject to Community rules, including scrutiny by the Commission.
§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food upon what basis funds from the guidance section of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund (FEOGA) are allocated to individual EEC member States; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThese funds are not specifically allocated to individual member States. The Commission includes appropriation commitments each year in the draft Community budget. These are based on forecasts provided by member States of expenditure under the various guidance measures in the year ahead After the end of each year, member States submit claims to the Commission based on the expenditure which has been incurred.