Written question asked by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Monday, 17 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2003. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the representations she has received from farming interest groups concerning the review of subsidies to farming. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the representations she has received from farming interest groups concerning the review of subsidies to farming. [139849] Alun Michael: We have received responses from a wide range of stakeholders to the public consultation on the options available to member states under the agreement on reforming the common agricultural policy (CAP). There was close to unanimous support for our decision to decouple subsidy fully in England from 2005. The biggest issue to emerge from the consultation was whether to go for an historic or flat rate basis for the single farm payment and responses were divided on this. We are looking carefully at the responses to the consultation and will be making a decision soon on the model for the single farm payment.

Secondary information