§ Lord Morris of Castle Morrisasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish the Agenda 2000 Common Agricultural Policy Reform consultation exercise. [HL2171]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)On 22 April 1999 we sent to interested organisations an information document entitledCAP Reform Agreement, which summarises the outcome of the negotiations on the CAP reform package of Agenda 2000. It also includes an economic note on the likely effect of the reforms upon producers, taxpayers and consumers, and a summary of responses to the consultation exercise received to date. A further consultation will be undertaken on the implementation of the agreed CAP reform measures when detailed regulations and details of available Community funds are known.
Two consultation documents which stem from the agreement on CAP reform on which early preparatory action is necessary were also made available on 22 April. The first, Rural Development Regulation: Consultation on Implementation in England, seeks views on mechanisms for drawing up and operating seven-year rural development plans. We will be asking for comments on who should prepare plans, on the geographic areas they should cover and on who should operate them.
The second, Supporting the Hill Farmer, seeks views on how we should support farming in the Less Favoured Areas in future. Since the Agenda 2000 reforms have changed the basis on which LFA support can be provided, we will be replacing our Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances scheme. We hope this consultation document will stimulate a wide debate on how we should design a new and better framework of support for our hill farmers.
Copies of these documents have been placed in the Library of the House.