HC Deb 26 October 1992 vol 212 cc503-4W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the representatives of companies and businesses allied to agriculture about the prospects for those businesses following reduction in farm support via the CAP; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Curry

The Department is in regular contact with the representatives of companies and businesses allied to agriculture to discuss issues of interest to the industry including CAP reform.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for the last three years for which figures are available the total amount of subsidy paid by EC or United Kingdom budgets for each category of livestock and arable crop eligible for subsidy within the United Kingdom, showing the actual amount in cash paid to producers in each case.

Mr. Curry

Table 9.1 of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom: 1991", a copy of which is available in the Library, gives details of public expenditure under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies. The main livestock and arable aid payments are in section I and IV of the table. A breakdown of payments between producers and other recipients is not available.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the total cost of the administration, monitoring and enforcement costs of the United Kingdom and EC departments responsible for paying farm subsidies over the last three years, showing each figure as a percentage of the total subsidies and a percentage of the subsidies actually received by producers.

Mr. Curry

This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.