HC Deb 08 March 2001 vol 364 cc342-3W
Mr. Yeo

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effects of his decision to lift the weight limit in respect of Over-30-months Scheme payments. [150989]

Mr. Nick Brown

Removal of the weight limit on payments under the Over-30-months Scheme delivered a key measure in the Government's Action Plan For Farming. It has provided important financial relief for UK beef and dairy farmers.

000 tonnes
Beet sugar production Sugar consumption
1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000
Austria 466 477 387 326 310 309
Belgium/Luxembourg 794 1,091 917 519 521 544
Denmark 531 553 504 237 238 245
Finland 120 166 153 192 210 223
France 4,266 4,522 4,270 2,161 2,166 2,177
Germany 4,016 4,380 4,341 2,706 2,711 2,752
Greece 199 232 367 320 310 306
Ireland 219 216 219 134 136 135
Italy 1,596 1,705 1,544 1,481 1,475 1,411
Netherlands 825 1,117 1,061 623 622 642
Portugal 66 76 57 330 332 327
Spain 1,149 1,097 1,075 1,211 1,240 1,268
Sweden 399 430 412 323 378 375
UK 1,442 1,546 1,300 2,076 2,124 2,187
Total EU 15 16,088 17,608 16,607 12,639 12,773 12,901

Notes:

1. Production includes over-quota production but excludes all sugar made from EU-grown or imported cane and molasses.

2. Beet sugar production figures for 2000–01 are estimates.

3. Breakdown between consumption of beet and cane sugar not available.

Source:

European Commission (February 2001)