§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will pursue with the European Commission proposals to reform the CAP by(a) abolishing the tobacco subsidy in Europe and (b) assisting pig farmers. [66895]
§ Mr. RookerThe European Commission is fully aware that the Government disapprove of the EU tobacco regime. The Commission is to report on the functioning of the common market organisation for raw tobacco before 1 April 2002, and we will continue to put forward our views.
I am keeping closely in touch with the Commission on the current pig situation. However, I consider that it is better to use existing market instruments rather than attempting a reform of the regime.