§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on administering the Common Agricultural Policy in the United Kingdom, and what proportion of total CAP spending in the UK was paid to farmers in each of the last five years. [33101]
§ Mr. MorleyWe estimate the cost of administering CAP market support measures throughout the UK to have been £78 million in the financial year 2000–01. We estimate the cost of administering direct support measures in England in that year to have been £52 million. The administration of direct payments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the devolved Ministers.
The following table gives estimates of (a) expenditure on CAP market support measures and (b) direct payments to the agriculture sector under the CAP in the UK in the last five years. It is not possible to calculate how much of the expenditure on market support was paid to farmers, as traders can also be eligible. Almost all the direct payments will have gone to farmers.
£ million Total expenditure under the CAP Expenditure on CAP market support measures Of which: Expenditure on CAP direct payments to the agriculture sector 1996–97 4,278 1,621 2,657 1997–98 3,546 1,281 2,265 1998–99 3,455 1,013 2,443 1999–2000 3,131 710 2,421 2000–01 2,977 665 2,312 Note:
The final column includes expenditure on HLCAs and LFAs.