HC Deb 17 November 2003 vol 413 c638W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what target time has been set for the Rural Payments Agency to reimburse food manufacturers for the additional costs of using EU origin sugar; and if she will make a statement. [139134]

Alun Michael

For year 2003–04 the Rural Payments Agency has a target to pay 80 per cent. of all valid non-IACS claims within 28 days of the claims becoming processable and all claims within EU deadlines or in their absence 60 days.

For the period 1 April 2003 to 12 November 2003 the target has been met. It is anticipated that this level of performance will be maintained throughout the 2003–04 year.