§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's policy is on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; how these reforms will be beneficial to agriculture in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales; whether the policy was agreed with the devolved Administrations; and how the United Kingdom's policy on reform of the CAP has changed since devolution. [17240]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 26 November 2001]: Successive United Kingdom Governments have long been committed to radical reform of the CAP in order to bring benefits to UK consumers, taxpayers and farmers. Next summer we expect the EU Commission to initiate the mid-term review of the CAP following the Agenda 2000 reforms.
The United Kingdom Government have not yet finalised their position on the mid-term review but have signalled their view that the Community should seize the opportunity for a radical reform covering: a switch from market distorting subsidies (pillar 1) to support for rural development and environmental schemes (pillar 2); abolition of milk quotas and compulsory set aside; and decoupling of livestock payments. We believe that these changes are necessary to deliver the type of modern, market-driven, environmentally sensitive agriculture which will benefit society as a whole and is in the long-term best interests of the agricultural industry itself. They will also help achieve the EU's wider objectives as regards the WTO negotiations and enlargement.
The Government are discussing their position on the mid-term review and their objectives for longer-term CAP reform with the devolved Administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They will also take account of developments both in the industry and more widely. The United Kingdom's policy on the reform of the CAP has not, however, materially altered since devolution.