§ 20. Dr. George TurnerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the Government' s priorities for further reform of the common agricultural policy on modulation issues. [122422]
§ Mr. Nick BrownThe Agenda 2000 agreement takes us a significant step closer to securing a more competitive and sustainable industry with a stronger market orientation. It lays down the foundation for a new European agricultural and rural development framework in which lower levels of direct support for agricultural production will be complemented by higher levels of targeted assistance for sustainable rural development. The UK is implementing modulation to bring about a limited shift from production support towards rural development measures within this framework.
We continue to press for the reform process started at Berlin to be completed.