§ 5. Mr. RobathanIf he will make statement on progress on reform of the CAP. [17669]
Dr. John CunninghamThe November Agriculture Council called upon the Commission to table early proposals for CAP reform. I will aim to make as much progress as possible on these proposals during the UK presidency of the EU.
§ Mr. RobathanI wish the right hon. Gentleman well. Does he agree that birdlife is being damaged by the intensive practices that are encouraged by the CAP? Gentlemen farmers—[Interruption.] Ordinary farmers from Ireland and, I am sure, gentlemen farmers who attended a meeting of the British-Irish parliamentary group this week told us that their landscape, their environment and their birdlife are being damaged by the intensive farming practices that are encouraged by the CAP. As the Minister knows, farmers' incomes are being dramatically damaged by the CAP and the consumer is paying through the nose for it. What dramatic steps does the Minister intend to take to reform the CAP because some of us think that it is not reformable in its current form?
Dr. CunninghamI agree with the hon. Gentleman's analysis. He is right: under the CAP as presently constituted, we spend about £30 billion a year and end up damaging the environment, threatening wildlife and infuriating farmers and consumers alike. It must be a fairly stupid policy that, at such a cost, produces such results. We are seeking dramatic reforms to the arable, beef and dairy regimes. The hon. Gentleman must know our position, because it is almost completely coincident with that of the previous Government. We must get agreement, or at least a majority, for reform among the 15 members of the Council. That will not be easy.
§ Mr. PikeWhat are my right hon. Friend's priorities for CAP reform in the context of eastern European nations that are on the fast track for joining the Union?
Dr. CunninghamMy hon. Friend makes an important point. The Government seek and are working for a successful enlargement of the European Union into central and eastern Europe. However, unless we take action now, as the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) said, to change the common agricultural policy, that successful enlargement will not be possible.
§ Mr. TylerDoes the Minister agree that whatever may be happening to the incidence of BSE, the incidence of memory loss among former Tory Ministers is quite dramatic? Does he acknowledge that within the framework of the CAP, under the previous Government and, I fear, under the present Government, competitor countries have received a great deal more assistance in dealing with the livestock sector than we have? Does he agree that a number of countries, including Ireland, are effectively subsidising their beef farmers to export their products to this country? Does he agree that other countries are taking similar steps to assist their livestock farmers in a way that our farmers are not assisted, and that in other countries hill support is much more effective than it is in this country?
475 Has the Minister seen this morning's headline inThe Western Morning News: "For God's sake help us"? Does the Minister acknowledge that we now have a major crisis in the livestock sector? Although it is true that the former regime must bear their share of the blame, some responsibility now lies at his door.
Dr. CunninghamI certainly share the hon. Gentleman's view that collective amnesia is a dangerous form of affliction on the Conservative Benches.
I recognise that the problems described by the hon. Gentleman are extremely serious for hill farmers in particular. I emphasise that we are discussing how and whether we may be able to provide extra support for them. When I am able to make an announcement about that decision, I shall do so.