§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total sum spent on subsidies for the sale of food, fruit and vegetables from the EU in the most recent annual period for which figures are available. [44325]
§ Mr. RookerThe total sum spent on directly subsidising sales of fruit and vegetables in 1997 through export refunds was 67 mecu (£49m at an average 1997 exchange rate of £1 = 1.3758 ecu). In addition, 6,214 mecu (£4,516m) was spent on directly subsidising the sale of other CAP 455W commodities through export refunds and aid under subsidised food programmes, although it is not possible to determine what proportion of export sales were for human consumption.