§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in relation to his representations to the EU for the recovery of illegal aid to the French pig sector. [25742]
§ Mr. JackAfter sustained pressure from the United Kingdom, the European Commission finally initiated article 93(2) procedure against two schemes in the pigmeat sector in April 1994. The two schemes were a FF30 million scheme for relieving pig producers of the high cost of commercial loans already taken out and a reduced rate loan arrangement through Stabiporc using Government funds, and Government guarantees for loans given by commercial banks and other organisations.
The Commission's decisions announcing that it had found elements of both schemes to be illegal and requiring the repayment of the illegal aid were published on 8 and 10 November and 23 December 1994. The French Government are required to advise the Commission of steps they have taken to recovers the illegal aid.
I understand that the Commission is in dialogue with the French Government. We shall persist with our pressure on the Commission to ensure that the French Government recover the aid which was illegally paid.