Farm ministers approve CAP reform timetable

20 January 1999

Farm ministers approve CAP reform timetable

EUROPEAN Union farm ministers have approved a timetable aimed at reaching a deal next month on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Karl-Heinz Funke, Germanys agriculture minister, said he was confident a deal could be struck at the next meeting of farm ministers starting on 22 February.

The farm ministers are likely to agree a deal before European Unions finance minister meet to decide about CAP funding.

But whatever farm ministers agree might still be overruled by another decision at an EU summit planned for 24 and 25 March.

• Financial Times 20/01/99 page 3 (News Digest)