HC Deb 06 November 2002 vol 392 cc365-6W
Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of 2001 suckler cow premium payments were outstanding(a) nationally and (b) in each region on (i) 31 August and (ii) 30 September; and if she will make a statement. [77320]

Margaret Beckett

(a) (i) proportion of 2001 Suckler Cow Premium payments outstanding nationally at 31 August was 34.11 per cent.

(b) (i) proportion of 2001 Suckler Cow Premium payments outstanding in each region at 31 August was (see table below.)

Region % Of Claims Outstanding At 31 August % Of Claims Outstanding At 30 September
Bristol 61.79 40.93
Cambridge 37.49 27.35
Carlisle 36.87 20.72
Crewe 12.81 3.83
Exeter 58.45 36.12
Northallerton 18.98 5.32
Nottingham 26.00 18.97
Reading 29.35 13.24
Worcester 20.07 6.35
(a) (ii) proportion of 2001 Suckler Cow Premium payments outstanding nationally at 30 September was 19.20 per cent.

(b) (ii) proportion of 2001 Suckler Cow Premium payments outstanding in each region at 30 September (see table above.)

Member States are required under European legislation to cross-check all animals subject to bovine subsidy against their cattle tracing databases. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has accordingly cross-checked claimed animals against the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS Cattle Tracing System (CTS)). All cross checks have been completed and R PA has discovered a large number of discrepancies. Many of these arise because of the failure by cattle keepers to notify the CTS when animals are born, die or are moved. This has resulted in RPA being unable to meet the statutory payment deadlines in all cases on bovine schemes, although it is making every effort to ensure all outstanding payments are made as soon as possible. The RPA regrets the delays and the impact on farmer's cash flow, but cannot ignore the discrepancies discovered.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total value was of 2001 Suckler Cow Premiums outstanding at(a) 31 August and (b) 30 September. [77319]

Margaret Beckett

(a) total value of 2001 suckler cow premium 2001 outstanding at 31 August was £5,476,365 compared to payments of £72,834,635.

(b) total value of 2001 suckler cow premium 2001 outstanding at 30 September was £3,290,897 compared to £75,020,103.