§ Mr. WillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to the European(a) Agriculture and (b) Trade Commissioner on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy sugar regime; and if she will make a statement. [160559]
§ Alun MichaelMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made clear in the Agriculture Council and in other contacts with the Commission that she is anxious for early progress on reforming a regime that has remained substantially unaltered for over 35 years, despite the fundamental changes achieved elsewhere in the Common Agricultural Policy. The Government are still considering which of the specific options put forward by the Commission represents the best way ahead, taking account of the range of interests involved, including the implications for developing countries.
§ Mr. WillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of the options for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy 707W sugar regime set out in the European Commission's working paper, Reforming the European Union's Sugar Policy, is preferred by her Department. [160560]
§ Alun MichaelThe Government have already made clear that it shares the European Commission's view that Option 1,involving extension of the present regime beyond 2006, is not sustainable. We have also said that we are looking for a market based approach in line with the major CAP reforms achieved in June 2003 across most other sectors.
Sugar reform raises a complex set of issues, including implications for developing countries, and we are still considering the best way ahead, taking account of the views received in our consultation exercise which closed on 16 January and which we are still assessing.