EU cuts could wreck CAP reform
10 December 1998
‘EU cuts could wreck CAP reform’
JACQUES SANTER has warned that reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) could be sabotaged by the proposals of some European Union members to “stabilise” the unions budget.
The European Commission president said that keeping CAP expenditure at Ecu40 billion (£28bn) would “kill the reforms”.
Mr Santer was speaking ahead of the tomorrows summit of EU leaders, when financial reform for the period 2000 to 2006 will be high on the agenda.
He said he could guarantee the farm reforms outlined by the Commission would lead to long-term budget savings, but they would involve an initial increase in costs.
Intense wrangling between leaders is expected to take place at the summit over the EU budget.
Some EU members, most notably Germany, want to see national rather than Union financial support for agriculture. This is strongly opposed by France.
- France, Germany urge CAP reform, FWi, yesterday (09 December, 1998)
- “CAP reform cost could soar”, FWi, 08 December, 1998
- The Times 10/12/98 page 6
- Financial Times 10/12/98 page 2, page 2 (News Digest)
- The Daily Telegraph 10/12/98 page 1, page 2, page 22
- The Herald 10/12/98 page 6