EU BUDGET: 2003 REPORT ON NET BALANCES HIGHLIGHTS CONTRIBUTION IMBALANCES

摘要

The report on the EU Budget's net balances in 2003, presented by European Budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyeron September 7, backs up the Commission's assessment of its own resources system and justifies its plans for reform. The Netherlands and Germany are still the main net contributors to the EU Budget (donating up 0.43% and 0.36% of their Gross National Income respectively). This lends support to the Commission proposal to limit net contributions to 0.3% for 2007-3013. With the highest per capita income in the EU, the United Kingdom's net contribution is restricted to 0.16% as a result of its automatic refund guaranteed since 1988 by way of a budget rebate, even though the Commission is eager to phase this system out. With a net contribution of only 0.12% of its GNI (after covering the British rebate), France continues to be the main recipient of the Common Agricultural Policy (which gobbles up one-quarter of the Budget).