§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy during the United Kingdom's presidency of the EU, to remove agricultural protectionism from Europe as a means of promoting international development; and if he will make a statement. [161942]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government fully supports the aims of the World Trade Organisation's Doha Declaration aimed at substantial reductions in trade distorting agricultural subsidies and protection, and placing particular emphasis on the need to help developing countries.
Last June the EU agreed a major reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. One of the key aims of our Presidency will be to work towards agreement in the WTO which would significantly reduce barriers to agricultural trade and bring economic benefits to developing and developed countries alike.