§ Sir Richard BodyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the expansion of co-financible activities for a green common agricultural policy in accordance with Corn (97) 620. [55327]
§ Mr. RookerThe European Commission's report of December 1997 on the implementation of agri-environment schemes within the European Union (Corn (97) 620) made a number of suggestions for the strengthening of agri-environment programmes both in financial terms and in terms of quality. It notes that these should be considered in the context of the proposals arising from Agenda 2000.
Under the UK Presidency, Member States agreed that agri-environment measures should remain an important part of the CAP reform process, and also began detailed consideration, as part of the Agenda 2000 process, of the Commission's proposal for the future development of agri-environmental and rural development policy. This has brought together amended measures from nine existing Council regulations and aims to be the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy. The proposed rural development regulation will allow Member States to prioritise their requirements for environmental action, structural adjustment, diversification and other measures in support of rural communities. The Commission propose the allocation of an extra 180 million ecu (£124.2 million) for agri-environmental measures. Such measures will be a compulsory element of development plans drawn up under the regulation.
In England, the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review for MAFF, which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 29 July 1998, Official Report, columns 341–45, established measures to sustain and enhance an attractive and accessible countryside as a key priority for MAFF. We will continue to expand the areas under agreement under the major agri-environment schemes.
In the long term, we would like to see the Common Agricultural Policy reformed to phase out production linked support, allowing European farming to develop into a competitive industry that can survive and prosper in increasingly open markets. We would wish to see part 1061W of the savings from a reduction in production support diverted to measures which will protect and enhance the environment and help the rural economy adjust, particularly in more fragile rural areas.