asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are opposing the proposal of the European Commission to cut individual farm payments over £70,000 by 10 per cent, those over £140,000 by 25 per cent and those over £210,000 by 45 per cent; and, if so, on what principles they base their opposition.

The European Commission has not made formal proposals for limiting support to recipients of larger payments under the common agricultural policy (CAP). However, it has raised the possibility as part of its consultation on the forthcoming "health check" reform of the CAP. The Government will respond to that consultation in the spring, after discussion with stakeholders.

We have opposed such limits when they have been proposed in the past on the grounds that they would distort the industry by discouraging the adoption of sensible, market-based, business models and prove administratively burdensome for farmers, while doing nothing to further the root and branch reform of the CAP which the Government believe is necessary.