§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What implications they understand President Chirac's statement "vous pouvez compter sur moi pour veiller à ce que ni l'une [regional policy] ni l'autre [CAP] ne soient dénaturée ou démantelée", contained in his speech made in Strasbourg on 6 March, to have for the reform of the common agricultural policy; and [HL5695]
Whether it is their understanding that the French government will seek to block reform of the common agriculture policy as it is presently proposed. [HL5696]
§ Lord WhittyThe Commission's proposals for the mid-term review of the common agricultural policy were only published on 10 July. Negotiations on these proposals have started but it is too early to predict what final package will emerge or what attitude individual member states might take towards them. Decisions in the Agriculture Council are taken by qualified majority voting.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Given that reform of the common agricultural policy is a United Kingdom policy priority according to the HM Treasury document 2002 Spending Review: Public Service Agreements 2003–06 (Cm 5571), what action they intend to take towards other European Union member states who seek to block CAP reform. [HL5697]
§ Lord WhittyDuring negotiations on reform of the CAP this autumn the Government will continue to argue that the current CAP is unsustainable and that we must take this opportunity for significant reform. We will be discussing reform of the CAP with all other member states.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Given that reform of the common agricultural policy is a United Kingdom policy priority according to the HM Treasury document 2002 Spending Review: Public Service Agreements 2003–06 (Cm 5571), what timetable they have set for securing its reform. [HL5698]
§ Lord WhittyWe are still at an early stage of complex negotiations and the precise timetable is unclear. It is likely that agreement to a reform package will be reached during the first half of 2003.