| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
10 Feb 2005 : Column 1658W—continued
European Environment Agency
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the activity of the European Environment Agency in the UK in the last 12 months; and if she will list the publications and newsletters published by the Agency over that period. [215273]
Mr. Morley:
The European Environment Agency (EEA) does not operate directly within its member countries. Most of its work is carried out through contractual arrangements with national organisations. The EEA coordinates this activity within the UK and elsewhere mainly through the European environment information and observation network (Eionet), which is a partnership network of over 900 experts and over 300 organisations in 37 countries. Additionally, the EEA has established five European topic centres to support data collection, management and analysis. One of these (for water) is a consortium of institutions headed by WRc PLC, based in the UK. The EEA is responsible for developing the network and coordinating its activities. The UK network within Eionet consists of nine main
10 Feb 2005 : Column 1659W
institutions either contracted to carry out work for the EEA or supplying expertise and data to fulfil national reporting obligations. Coordination of the national network within the UK and liaison with the EEA is done by the National Focal Point (NFP) based in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who also supply the UK representative on the EEA Management Board. The UK NFP also produces a twice yearly newsletter to keep contacts and other interested stakeholders up to date on EEA activities.
In 2004 the EEA published 23 reports, technical reports and briefings on environmental topics in paper form, listed in Table 1. In addition the Agency published a brochure 'Eionet connects', detailing the workings of the network. The EEA makes these reports and many other documents available on its website, including its Annual Reports and Annual Management Plans.
Note:
Reports are available from the EEA Website: http://reports.eea.eu.int/index_table?sort=Published
10 Feb 2005 : Column 1660W
Farming Subsidies
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total amount of subsidy received by the British farming industry was in each of the last three years; how much will be paid in the next three years; from which funding sources this money originates; how much was received from (a) market regimes and (b) import tariffs; and if she will make a statement. [200297]
Alun Michael: Figures for subsidy received by the British farming industry in each of the last three years and forecasts of amounts to be paid in the next three years are set out in the table.
These forecasts are based on the position as at 30 November 2004 and do not take into account the Ministerial Statement of 1 December 2004 concerning the future of the Over Thirty Month Scheme.
The figures for import tariffs have been provided by HM Customs and Excise. Customs and agricultural duties within the common Customs Tariff constitute own resources of the European Union.
Net receipts of agricultural duties for the past three years are as follows:
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| 2001–02 | 305 |
| 2002–03 | 305 |
| 2003–04 | 341 |
Source:
HM Customs and Excise Trust Statement
Since 1 January 2001, member states may retain 25 per cent. of these duties by way of collection costs.
10 Feb 2005 : Column 1661W
However, agricultural levies are not forecast separately into the future. It is combined with Customs duties under the heading customs duties and levies".
10 Feb 2005 : Column 1662W
The figure for Customs duties and levies for 2004–05 is £2.1 billion and the forecast for 2005–06 is £2.1 billion (announced at the pre-Budget in December 2004).
Notes:
1. CAP Pillar 1 farm-based schemes in the UK are 100 per cent. funded by the EC.
2. Rural development in England and OTMS is co-funded by the EC and UK Exchequer.
3. Payments made by Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Forestry Commission cover expenditure incurred on both CAP Pillar 1 farm-based schemes (100 per cent. EC funded) and rural development schemes (co-funded by the EC and the UK Exchequer).
(2) CAP Pillar 1 farm-based schemes in the UK are 100 per cent. funded by the EC.
(3) Payments made by Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland cover expenditure incurred on both CAP Pillar 1 farm-based schemes and rural development schemes.
Note:
This table excludes all disease control and public health measures.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |