§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total expenditure on production subsidies for each of the past 10 years. [144043]
§ Ms QuinThe figures are set out in the table. They cover expenditure on: Arable Area Payments Scheme (cereals, oilseeds, linseed and protein), Sheep Annual Premium Scheme, Beef Special Premium Scheme, Suckler Cow Premium Scheme and Beef Deseasonalisation Scheme, and include both national and EU contributions. The major increase in expenditure in 1993–94 reflects the switch from price support to production subsidies in the MacSharry reform. The farming industry also benefits from higher food prices as a result of the CAP, which are paid for by consumers.
April/March (financial years) £ million 1989–90 188.3 1990–91 281.7 1991–92 431 1992–93 434.7 1993–94 1,288.9 1994–95 1,538.3 1995–96 1,956.7 1996–97 2,089.3 1997–98 1,896.9 1998–99 2,039.6