Brussels, 05/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - In the 2012 agricultural accounting year, a total of €44.7 billion was paid by the European Union in aid for farmers and farm markets in the European Union, compared with €43.9 billion in 2011.
A European Commission report dated 27 March on the use of funding from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) says that from 16 October 2011 to 15 October 2012, the EU spent €44.7 billion in farm aid and spending on farm markets and food security.
Some €40.8 billion of this was spent on direct farm aid, €37.6 billion on farm aid unconnected with production and €3.4 billion on market intervention, including €1 billion for fruit and vegetables and €1 billion for vineyards.
Farm spending overshot the budget by €780.2 million, but this overshoot was covered by income of €1.3 billion. After final adjustments, some €490 million of income will be carried forward to the 2013 accounting year. (LC/transl.fl)