Topping up

(Photo: EUobserver.com)

Topping up 

"Topping up" means adding on.

The EU paid 25% of the direct income aid for farmers in the applicant countries in 2004, then 30% in 2005, and 35% in 2006. After this, this figure will increase by 10% every year until 2013.

The new member states are allowed to pay out more from their own budgets, and money allocated for rural development through "top ups" to a maximum of 55% in 2004, 60% in 2005, and 65% in 2007 (except for Slovenia and Cyprus, allowed to top up from the date of accession).