HC Deb 17 November 2003 vol 413 cc620-1W
Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) UK and (b) other EU countries she estimates would be affected if (i) 300,000 euro, (ii) 250,000 euro and (iii) 200,000 euro limits were placed upon public support for agricultural holdings. [135771]

Mr. Bradshaw

England would be affected by each of these limits. Questions regarding the payment of direct grants and subsidies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should be directed to the devolved authorities in Scotland and Wales and the Northern Ireland Administration.

According to commission figures, in the 2000 EU financial year 11 of the 14 member states excluding Greece would have been affected by each of these limits. Statistics are not available for Greece.

Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farm holdings in(a) the UK and (b) each member state she estimates would be affected if the EU were to place a 300,000 euro limit on the payment it makes; and how many euros would be held back from agricultural support under such a system. [135772]

Mr. Bradshaw

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 October 2002,Official Report, column 314W. We have not made an assessment of what funds would be generated in this hypothetical policy scenario.

According to figures from the European Commission, in the 2000 EU financial year, 11 of the 14 member states excluding Greece would have been affected by each of these limits. Statistics are not available for Greece.

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