Brussels, 29/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 29 January, Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fisher Boel denied rumours carried by the press that the EU had, at the re-launch of WTO negotiations in Davos last week, put forward a new agricultural proposal (see related article). At the Agriculture Council, France felt that Mr Mandelson had exceeded his mandate … “without States being informed”. French minister Dominique Bussereau said he had obtained a copy of “papers” which the Trade Commissioner had circulated at Davos, and these included a reduction on customs duties. Several EU countries supported France on the principle that the EU must not make any new agricultural proposals without concessions, particularly from the US on its domestic subsidies. (lc)