Royal landowners and multinational companies were among the biggest beneficiaries of the EU’s €55 billion farm aid budget in 2008, a new EU transparency law has shown.
In France, which alone scooped €10.4 billion of the pot, the Doux Group, which sells chicken products to over 130 countries worldwide, was the biggest single recipient on €62 million.
Major food companies Nestle and Tate & Lyle were the largest UK winners on around €1 million each.
British aristocrats, who command significant personal fortunes, also pocketed sizeable amounts of EU cash. The Queen received around €530,000. The Duke of Westminster got €540,000. Prince Charles took €180,000.
Germany has declined to publish its figures despite the EU deadline for compliance at midnight on 30 April.
Berlin says it faces legal constraints due to data protection laws in local districts. But the European Commission on Thursday (30 April) said it may take the country to the EU courts if it does not fall into line.
Meanwhile, the same funding pattern was repeated in smaller EU states.
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