§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Question by the Lord Pearson of Rannoch on 12 March (HL Deb. col. 345), whether the reforms they seek to the common agricultural policy would require support from member states representing 62 of the 87 available qualified votes; if so, upon how many votes they can count to that end; and whether Germany now supports their suggested reforms. [HL1512]
§ Lord DonoughueAmendments to the common agricultural policy must be agreed in the Agriculture Council, which would require a qualified majority of 62 votes out of the 87 available. Negotiations on the latest Commission proposals for reform have only just begun and we have a long way to go before the issue is put to the vote.