Common Agricultural Policy

Question: The Minister and I have debated this subject at some length but, specifically for Welsh farmers, one of the things that is causing great anxiety is the possible transfer from historical payments to flat-rate payments. What discussions has the Minister had? Will he give the Committee and Welsh farming communities an assurance that they will not be left behind because of the anomalous UK position? Does he have their best interests at heart?

Answer: I can repeat the assurance that I gave the hon. Gentleman in Committee last week. We fully understand that point, although we support—I think that this is widely accepted—the need for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to move from a historical to an area-based system over a period of time. We cannot go on subsidising people on the basis of what they were paid in 2001, but the Commission’s proposals for a 40% shift in year one is far too high. We have agreed with all the devolved legislatures in the UK that we will press for a smoother transition of 20% a year over five years.

Secondary information