HC Deb 24 February 1993 vol 219 cc587-8W
Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the precise criteria for the derogation for this season's vining pea crop from the set-aside regime.

Country Debt agreement Signed Value (£)
Senegal "United Kingdom/Senegal retrospective terms agreement 1988" 29 August 1988 1,070,878.57
Guyana "United Kingdom/Guyana debt rescheduling arrangement 1989" 29 August 1990 5,457,440.55
Egypt "United Kingdom/Egypt retrospective terms agreement 1991" 25 July 1991 7,020,961.00
Jamaica "United Kingdom/Jamaica debt waiver arrangement 1991" 30 April 1992 9,541,265.73
Bolivia "United Kingdom/Bolivia retrospective terms agreement 1992" 9 June 1992 1,053,256.48
Honduras "United Kingdom/Honduras retrospective terms agreement 1992" 21 August 1992 5,000,000.00
Total 29,143,802.33

In addition we have agreed to write off £56 million of Zambia's aid debt with effect from 1 April 1993, provided

Mr. Curry

Vining peas are not covered by the arable area payments scheme, which includes provision for set aside. However, there is a derogation for those who can demonstrate that they had sown, or were committed to sowing, vining peas before 17 November 1992 and who wish to claim aid on their vining peas for 1993. Any such growers will have to apply to their regional service centre or local area office for a vining pea claim form and to return it by 15 May 1993. They will have to confirm that they have sown by that date and to sign the following undertaking and provide the supporting information mentioned.

DECLARATION ON VINING PEAS

  1. 1. I understand that vining peas have been removed from the list of crops eligible for arable area aid. I am, however, claiming aid in 1993 for vining peas under the derogation in Commission Regulation 3738/92 which permits me to do so. I certify that prior to 17 November 1992, I was already committed to growing vining peas in the expectation of receiving area payments, because either:
  2. 2. I had prior to that date already entered into a binding contract with a buyer or processor for vining peas which is still in force, and had therefore committed myself to setting aside land in the expectation of planting vining peas on other land and receiving aid in respect of them and could not have changed my plans on or after 17 November 1992 without suffering adverse financial consequences: I attach a copy of the contract: or
  3. 3. Although I had not entered into a contract as referred to in (2) above, I can demonstrate that before 17 November 1992 I had made a farm plan committing myself to setting aside particular land in the expectation of planting vining peas on other land and receiving aid in respect of them and could not have changed my plans on or after 17 November 1992 without suffering adverse financial consequences. I attach a copy of the dated farm plan covering all arable crops and intended set aside land and an explanation of my claim that, had I changed my plans on or after 17 November 1992, I would have necessarily suffered adverse financial consequences.