David Sumberg MEP
Date: 28/05/2003
"CHANCERS & CROOKS" Raid EU Farming Fund
North West Conservative Euro MP David Sumberg has reacted furiously to revelations that France and other countries have been claiming EU farming subsidies fraudulently.
Mr Sumberg said it was 'absolutely disgraceful' that the majority of EU member states were claiming Common Agricultural Policy cash dishonestly while British farming played by rules.
"This news may not be a surprise to British farmers who have suspected for years that CAP funding was being abused,' he said. "Nevertheless it is an infuriating and bitter irony that France is one of the primary culprits owing £17 million. France as we well know, crippled the British beef industry by banning our meat illegally. Now we discover that they, along with Italy and Greece in particular, have been claiming for cattle that don't exist, crops that are never grown, and land that isn't farmed. Altogether the CAP fund has been ripped off to the tune of a staggering £120m. Much of that hard earned tax from British pockets. I, together with other Tory MEPs, will continue our trenchant campaign for radical reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. Only through reform can we root out the chancers and crooks who are ripping the UK off an absolute treat. We'll also be reminding the French Government it still owes the UK £30 million from its illegal ban on British beef."