Brussels, 20/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - The twelve EU Member States (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia) that signed a memorandum justifying the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and suggesting measures to improve its implementation until 2013 received the support of Germany, Austria and Belgium when their paper was put to the Agriculture Council on 20 March (EUROPE 9152). Some sources say that Finland gave a “positive assessment” of the text, while the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden, unlike signatory countries, advocated indepth reform of the policy. The Austrian Presidency has stated its intention to continue discussing the matter at the informal meeting of agriculture ministers end May in Krems, and the Commission is said to have expressed willingness to work on a number of the issues mentioned in the memorandum. We recall that the memorandum on the implementation and future of a reformed CAP recommends that rules and measures be simplified in order to come to grips with future challenges (instruments that allow agricultural crises to be managed, and the active and very best management of export refunds, etc.).
French Minister Dominique Bussereau said, moreover, that France had signed another memorandum with Italy, Spain and Portugal setting forth their expectations in the context of reform of the common market organisation (CMO) for wine. In the middle of the year, the Commission will publish a report and a communication setting out several reform options before legislative proposals are adopted towards the end of the year. According to the Commission, the main objectives of reform are as follows: - increased competitiveness of wine producers, confirmed reputation of European quality wines, re-conquest of its former market share and new markets in Europe and worldwide; - simple and effective Community rules to ensure a balance is struck between supply and demand; - and the preservation of the best traditions for European wine production, as well as a strengthened social and environmental role in many rural areas.