§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent advice he has received from the European Commission with regard to payments to hop producers under special temporary measures under Regulation 1098/98; and when he expects such payments to be made. [113504]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 7 March 2000]: We have received various advice from the Commission since the special temporary measures for hops were introduced in 1998. The Intervention Board Executive Agency, which administers the scheme in the UK, made payments to producer groups in respect of the 1999 harvest by end December last.