REFORM OF THE COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY

Early day motion 61, tabled 26 November 2003 by Lord Flight (Conservative). Signed by 58 members.

That this House believes that the Common Agricultural Policy is outdated and should be reformed; notes the impact of agricultural subsidies on the economies of poor countries; considers reform of agricultural subsidies to be essential to poverty reduction and to promote sustainable development in the developing world; believes that proper reform of the Common Agricultural Policy could benefit both British consumers and British farmers; recognises that agricultural reform is vital to the successful enlargement of the European Union; notes with concern the failure of the recent European Council in Brussels to secure reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; believes that the Government's failure to reform the CAP jeopardises the commitments made at Doha to liberalise agriculture; calls on the Government to do more than to defend the interests of British farmers in the mid-term review; and urges the Prime Minister to work harder at future European summits to secure a better deal for British farmers and poor countries.

Signatures by party: Conservative 53, DUP 2, UUP 2, Independent Conservative 1.