EU agrees to keep CAP till 2013

THE path to enlargement was cleared by EU leaders last night but at the expense of farmers and agricultural subsidies.

However, the German demand that CAP payments be phased out from now was changed to the budget being frozen at its 2006 level and continuing until 2013.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern welcomed the agreement and said it was a good deal for Irish farmers. They were now sure of getting payments for the next 11 years and know what the budget will be.