HL Deb 23 April 2001 vol 625 c14WA
Lord Pearson of Rannoch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the total of the annual subsidies paid to United Kingdom farmers:

  1. (a) through the Common Agricultural Policy: and
  2. (b) otherwise. [HL1695]

Baroness Hayman

Expenditure on CAP measures in the UK was, on average, £3.4 billion per annum during the period 1996–97 to 2000–01. This includes expenditure on direct payments and market support measures. The latter are not necessarily paid direct to farmers. This figure excludes the additional support farmers receive from the consumer through the maintenance of EU agricultural prices above world levels by the CAP. During the same period, expenditure by UK agricultural departments on other support to agriculture was, on average, £178 million per annum.

Lord Pearson of Rannoch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the total cost to the United Kingdom taxpayers of:

  1. (a) the Common Agricultural Policy; and
  2. (b) other mechanisms which support United Kingdom farmers. [HL1696]

Baroness Hayman

Between 1996 and 2000, the UK contributed, on average, £10.6 billion to the EU budget. Over the same period, the Common Agricultural Policy represented, on average, 48 per cent. of total expenditure from the EU budget. Expenditure by UK agriculture departments on other support to agriculture was £178 million, on average, between 1996 and 2000.