Tory Eurosceptics claim EU farm money
August 3, 2009 1:02 PM
Three Eurosceptic Conservative MPs have claimed more than £500,000 in EU farm subsidies in the past two years.
New rules came into force this year obliging governments to disclose who claimed what under the much-criticised common agricultural policy.
The figures show Michael Ancram, the former Tory party chairman, received £211,000 for his farm in the Scottish borders.
David Heathcoat-Amory, who famously claimed for bags of manure for his second home, got £114,000 for his Scottish farms, while Philip Dunne was paid £201,000 for his Herefordshire family farm.
All were among 45 MPs who supported Eurosceptic Bill Cash's amendment to the Lisbon treaty last year.
The MPs' farms are entitled to the money under the CAP, but pro-Europe campaigners see an irony in the claims.
Mr Heathcoat-Amory denied there was any conflict of interest, saying he had never engaged in debate on the matter, but added: "I am a longstanding critic of the EU - that includes whole way it is run, including payments".
The vast majority of the more than £750,000 paid out to MPs is claimed by rural Conservative MPs.
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