§ Lord Palmerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they plan to simplify the oilseed rape acreage support scheme form for 1993, bearing in mind that 80 per cent. of forms have had to be returned to individual farmers as they were incorrectly completed.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe)The information which growers are required to submit on the application form for the EC Oilseeds Support Scheme 1992 is that specified by the EC Commission rules plus that necessary to ensure proper and cost-effective administration of the scheme in the United Kingdom. The same approach will be adopted for 1993, when oilseeds will be supported under the integrated arable scheme recently agreed as part of CAP reform. In England, about 30 per cent. of application forms have been returned to producers for completion or amendment.