27/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA) recalled, on 25 March, on the occasion of a joint meeting of the CAP and Rural Development Advisory Committees devoted above all to reform of Common Agricultural Policy, that it is generally in favour of further decoupling support from production. At the same time, it stresses in a press release that some sectors are concerned by the total deletion of the existing link between direct support and production, and that the first to suffer would be the SMEs, for whom "quality and quantity of local supply are essential". Furthermore, the CIAA confirms that it supports making payment of decoupled aid dependent on respect of the regulatory requirements defined at Community level and good farming practices, as this would strengthen consumer confidence. Finally, it stresses its support to strengthening rural development measures, but regrets that, further to the decisions of the European Council in October 2002 in Brussels, the Commission had to reduce the amounts earmarked for rural development in its draft reform.