HC Deb 13 January 2003 vol 397 cc368-9W
David Burnside

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards reforming the Common Agricultural Policy; what factors she estimates will influence further moves to reform; and if she will make a statement. [88865]

Mr. Morley

The Agriculture Council has completed its reading of the Commission's outline proposals which were tabled on 10 July. The Commission will now reflect on the discussions in Council and produce the detailed legal texts which will be necessary to translate their proposals into changes to the CAP regulations. We expect these to be put to the Council in late January.

I expect further reform to be influenced by a wide range of factors including the need to improve the sustainability of European Agriculture and to take account of its impact on international trade and development particularly with a view to a successful conclusion to the WTO round negotiations. I also expect the negotiations to take account of the setting of a ceiling for Category 1A expenditure for the period from 2007 to 2013 at the Brussels Summit.