Brussels, 04/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - In an article published on Monday by the French daily newspaper Le Figaro, British Prime Minister Tony Blair once again laid into the funding of the common agricultural policy (CAP). He takes the view that the EU should adopt a "modern" budget, which takes account of the economic realities of a Europe which is lagging behind, he feels, in many fields. "A modern budget is not one which will still be granting 40% to the CAP in 10 years' time", he wrote. "We must conduct a thorough review of our expenditure". Tony Blair, who took up the rotating Presidency of the European Council on Friday, said that he is prepared to review the question of the British refund as part of this sort of review. "I have always said that the rebate which was granted to us would be on the table at this review", he promised. Also raising the issue of the CAP, Commissioner Peter Mandelson said: "I do not think that anybody would like to see it dismantled, and it will not be (...). It answers crucial needs which are very real both at European and international level, but it cannot stay as it is". Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson said that the CAP "cannot reasonably be the backbone of the Community budget".