HL Deb 01 July 2002 vol 637 c14WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' departmental report 2002, why there is any need to consider whether to implement the European Union's simplified scheme for payment of subsidies to small farmers. [HL4809]

Lord Whitty

The Government believe that the scheme offers the welcome possibility of simplifying subsidy claims for a small number of English farmers. However, there is a need to consider whether the significant costs of implementation represent the best use of available resources within the department at this particular time. I expect to make a final decision later in the summer.