Written question asked by Lord Redwood (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 May 2001. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Friday, 11 May 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his estimate is of increased annual expenditure on the CAP as a result of admitting (a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) the Czech Republic, (d) Bulgaria and (e) Romania into the EU. - (Holding answer 9 May 2001).

Answer: Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of increased annual expenditure on the CAP as a result of admitting (a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) the Czech Republic, (d) Bulgaria and (e) Romania into the EU. [160627] Mr. Vaz: [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Following the Berlin European Council in March 1999, the EU agreed a Financial Perspective for 2000-06. This contained annual ceilings on agricultural expenditure for the current 15 member states. From 2002 onwards, and for the first time ever, the ceilings on CAP spending in the existing member states decline in real terms. Berlin also agreed indicative ceilings for expenditure in an enlarged EU, assuming six new members joining in 2002. The exact level of annual expenditure in an enlarged EU will depend upon a number of factors, including the terms of accession, but will be restricted by these limits.

Secondary information