Common Agricultural Policy

HC Deb 09 May 2001 vol 368 c227W

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans the Government have to table proposals for reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. [160622]

Ms Quin

The CAP is failing to deliver what farmers, the rural economy and the environment need. The Government are committed to securing a more economically rational CAP to enable the industry to respond flexibly to consumer wishes without being constrained by the market-distorting nature of the current CAP, and to securing a CAP which is compatible with the protection and enhancement of the natural environment.

Responsibility for presenting proposals to reform the CAP rests with the European Commission. We expect a package of reforming measures to issue next year for a number of key CAP commodity regimes. We will continue to work closely with the Commission and other member states to drive forward the reform agenda.