asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the United Kingdom's share of the cost of European Union subsidies for tobacco farmers. [HL245]

The EU budget for tobacco premiums was €920 million in 2006. As member states contribute to the EU budget as a whole, and not to any particular part, we cannot say how much the UK contributed in subsidies for tobacco farmers.

As a non-producer, the UK has concerns about the cost and health implications of the tobacco regime; subsidies are at odds with the Community-sponsored “Europe Against Cancer” programme. The UK has always been critical of the regime and welcomed the 2004 reform, whereby direct support for tobacco will be brought to an end by 2010.