Minister says CAP reform major objective

30 June 1997

Minister says CAP reform major objective

The government has made reform of the Commons Agricultural Policy (CAP) a
major objective of its European Policy, according to Jack Cunningham,
agriculture minister.

He told The Daily Telegraph CAP drove up the price of food, burdened
farmers with bureaucracy, imposed false production controls and was open to
fraud.

Dr Cunningham said farm subsidies must be abolished. He wants them replaced
with European Union aid to rejuvenate rural areas, encourage jobs and protect
the countryside.