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Common Agricultural Policy
27. Mr. Hope: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of farm incomes is derived from direct payments and price supports under the CAP. [98864]
Ms Quin:
The overall value of direct payments and price supports received by UK producers under the Common Agricultural Policy in 1997-98 exceeded total income from farming across all sectors by around 70 per cent.
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This demonstrates the very considerable levels of financial assistance being provided to agricultural producers. It also demonstrates the inefficiency of the Common Agricultural Policy, as it currently operates, in securing rural objectives and promoting a sustainable agricultural industry.
This figure was published on the Ministry's internet site in August 1999, as part of the consultation on the Agenda 2000 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
Mr. Gill:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has received from the Commission about a possible substantial reduction in the catch levels of sand eels. [98628]
Mr. Morley:
The Commission has promised to make a proposal, in time for adoption by the Council in December, closing the sand eel fishery around the Isle of May. The effects of this closure on seabirds which are dependent on sand eels will then be studied.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provisions of (a) the Treaty of Rome and (b) World Trade Organisation rules govern the banning of imports of (i) beef, (ii) sheepmeat, (iii) pork, (iv) venison and (v) poultry on the basis of animal welfare standards. [99310]
Mr. Morley
[holding answer 23 November 1999]: In each case the relevant provisions of the EC Treaty (Treaty of Rome) are Article 28 (ex Article 30) and Article 30 (ex Article 36).
So far as the WTO is concerned, the relevant rules are contained in Articles XI and XX of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1947 (which forms part of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, which in turn is one of the Multilateral Trade Agreements which forms part of the WTO Agreement).
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the enforcement of animal welfare legislation for farm animals. [99289]
Mr. Morley:
I have received such representations from individuals and organisations, including the Farm Animal Welfare Council.
Mr. Don Foster:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many targets have been agreed between his Department and (i) local authorities and (ii) other bodies apart from his own agencies and non- departmental bodies since May 1997. [99480]
Mr. Morley
[holding answer 24 November 1999]: The Department has nine published targets which relate to
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the delivery of services or other objectives by local authorities, and nine for other bodies apart from agencies and non-departmental public bodies.
Mr. Gill:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are (a) the individual regional areas and (b) the management structures within these individual areas in relation to the zonal/regional fisheries management under the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the ability of those areas to comply with the principle of equal access. [99408]
Mr. Morley:
As I made clear in my answer to the hon. Gentlemen on 2 November 1999, Official Report, column 164W, strengthening the regional dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) requires action on a regional specific fishery basis.
This can be done, for example, through the organisation by the Commission of regional meetings bringing together fishermen and fisheries scientists and managers to consider the problems of particular stocks, as with the meeting on the Celtic Sea demersal fishery in March. Under the CFP, the principle of equal access is subject in practice to the application of relative stability shares. I expect this to continue after the review of the CFP in 2002.
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Mr. Gill:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the 18 month study on fisheries discards which commenced in June was put out to tender. [99409]
Mr. Morley:
The study was proposed by a consortium of researchers from the UK, France and the Netherlands as a response to an open call for research relating to the Common Fisheries Policy made by the European Commission in 1997. The project proposal competed for funding with other applications under this programme, and was successful in gaining grant from the EU for 50 per cent. of its cost. The remainder of the cost has subsequently been met by the Dutch and French Governments and by MAFF in the case of the UK element.
Mr. Dismore:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on flood defences in Edgware and Burnt Oak, Hendon. [98854]
Mr. Morley:
I understand that the Environment Agency is continuing to undertake relevant surveys and modelling work for the Silk Stream flood alleviation scheme. The Agency is still aiming to publish an Environmental Statement for formal consultation in August 2000.