UK ignored Euro flood aid – Fischler
16 February 2001
UK ignored Euro flood aid – Fischler
By Alistair Driver
THE British government declined to participate in schemes to help flood-hit farmers, according to European agriculture commissioner Franz Fischler.
In a letter seen by FARMERS WEEKLY, Mr Fischler told Conservative MEP Philip Bradbourn that aid was available but the UK didnt want it.
“When drawing up the England Rural Development Programme for the period 2000-2006, the UK authorities did not choose to make use of this measure.”
Mr Fischler says there are two sources of funding for flood defences that member states could include in their rural development programmes.
One, which could benefit farmers, is specifically related to “agriculture water resources management” and contains actions aimed at flood prevention.
Such a programme is already used in Germany and the Netherlands, which will receive about 30 million under the scheme from the European Union.
Another scheme, used by Germany, Italy and Spain, relates to restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters.
After receiving the letter, Mr Bradbourn said it was “completely crazy” that the British government had not taken advantage of the available money.
“I have written to Agriculture Minister Nick Brown demanding an explanation of why he did not choose to make use of this funding,” he said.
Recent floods are estimated to have cost British farmers up 500m in damage and lost crops, according to the National Farmers Union.
The government has made some moves to help affected producers by relaxing some subsidy rules, especially regarding set-aside land.
A Ministry of Agriculture spokesman said regional organisations had decided what went in to the development plan and none prioritised the flood schemes.
The UK had a low fixed budget for the programme, which was based on how much money it has historically used for environmental and rural schemes.
“It is easy for anyone to be wise after the event – but the events of this winter were unprecedented,” the spokesman told FARMERS WEEKLY.
However, changes to the rules might incorporate the flood schemes, although this could only happen if the development programme budget was increased.