Brussels/London, 09/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - "To say that multifounctionality is synonymous with unfair protectionism and competition can marry the negotiation tactics of certain of our partners on the World Trade Organisation (but) it is badly interpreting the European agricultural policy and its attempts to deliver what we expect to both the farmers and society" asserted the European Commissioner Franz Fischler before an international audience who were participating this Thursday in the Prospects 2000 Conference in London. The man responsible for CAP said that in reading a recent speech by his American counterpart Dan Glickman, he was "taken by the scope of the convergence of opinions on both sides of the Atlantic" on the recognition of the multiple functions of which agriculture is now part. "What ever the name we choose as employer, it is a rare example of politicians calling for equality rather than denying it" he said ironically.