HC Deb 15 June 1998 vol 314 cc27-8W
Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the sums paid in the EU in respect of area payments in 1997; and what is the basic purpose of such payments. [45530]

Mr. Rooker

The amount paid by the European Union on arable area aid payments in the 1997 Budget year was 16,552 million ecu (£12,031 million). The purpose of these payments is to compensate arable producers for the reductions in cereal support prices since 1992.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money was spent in the EU in the most recent annual period for which figures are available on set-aside payments. [45528]

Mr. Rooker

The amount paid by the European Union as arable area aid on set-aside land in the 1997 Budget year was 1,904 million ecu (£1,384 million).