HC Deb 18 June 2004 vol 422 cc1122-3W
Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many UK farm holdings received total annual Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments in excess of(a) £500,000, (b) £750,000 and (c) £1,000,000 in each CAP accounting year in the last five years for which figures are available. [177122]

Alun Michael

The number of farm holdings in England that received total annual CAP payments in the requested bands is shown in the following table.

These figures have been taken from European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) accounts. The EAGGF financial year runs from 16 October to 15 October.

The information for other countries within the UK is a matter for their devolved assemblies.

EAGGF year Over £500,000 Over £750,000 Over £1,000,000
2000 32 9 4
2001 27 11 7
2002 25 8 5
2003 37 19 11

The Rural Payments Agency introduced a new accounting system in 1999 so complete figures for that year could be provided only at disproportionate cost.