§ Mr. McAvoyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations the Government have made to the intergovernmental conference about reforming the common agricultural policy and the common fisheries policy. [27499]
§ Mr. BaldryThe Government's approach to the 1996 intergovernmental conference was set out in the White Paper, "A Partnership of Nations". This explained that efforts to secure further reforms of the common agricultural policy would continue in parallel with the intergovernmental conference since such reforms do not require treaty change. The White Paper also made clear the Government's determination to achieve improvements in the operation of the common fisheries policy, including addressing the problem of quota hoppers. If necessary, proposals for amending the treaty to deal with this problem will be submitted to the conference in due course.