Mr. Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General regarding the operation of the common agricultural policy in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JoplingThe report to the Committee of Public Accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the achievements and costs of the common agricultural policy in the United Kingdom recognises the efforts we have made to contain the budgetary cost of the CAP by pressing for price reductions. Although it is critical of some aspects of the current operation of the CAP, it is broadly in line with the Government's own views on how this could best be improved, particularly with regard to the need for a more market-orientated price policy. The Government will continue to press this approach in discussions in the Community on future arrangements for the CAP.