But the ECA argues that aid rates for the
grubbing up scheme - raised by 20% in the first year and 10% in the second year of the scheme - were disproportionately high as demand for the assistance exceeded the Commission's target even if rates had been maintained at their previous levels.
As for
grubbing up, the report argued for EU member states to have tough powers to resist calls from Brussels for such production reduction.
As part of the work, the specifications required clearing,
grubbing, and excavation to lines and grades in the drawings and soil retention matting.
Spain, which submitted the largest requests in terms of
grubbing up (98,115 ha,a 9% of Iberian vineyards) will, in fact, receive the most substantial budget (236 million to eliminate 45,000 ha of vines).