HC Deb 07 April 2003 vol 403 c6W
Paul Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total subsidies awarded to(a) farms and (b) non-farming rural businesses were in each of the last five years. [106673]

Alun Michael

It is not possible to differentiate subsidy payments between farms and non-farming rural business. The total direct aid payments made under the Common Agricultural Policy in England in each of the last five years were:

Direct Aid Payments
(£ billion)
1998 1.68
1999 1.61
2000 1.65
2001 1.69
2002 1.34

The year in question relates to the EU financial year, which ends in October. The subsidies are payments made under the Guarantee section of the European

Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. Direct aid payments include internal market schemes covering principally fresh fruit and vegetables and milk and milk products.