CAP health check ‘more than just review of reforms’

THE upcoming health check on the Common Agricultural Policy will be more than just a review of previous European reforms, the delegates to the World Dairy Summit in Dublin were told yesterday.

Ann Randles, secretary general of Brussels-based group, EUCOLAIT, representing European dairy traders, said the health check will assess whether past objectives have been met, but will also look at what needs to be done to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.

“Crucially, it will act as a forerunner to negotiations in 2009 on the future funding of the EU post-2013 and, if necessary, a new world trade agreement,” she said.

Ms Randles said a new financial framework for the EU will necessitate an even more fundamental review of the Common Agricultural Policy.

This review will include the viability of all agricultural supports including both market and producer and how to adapt to changing societal expectations.

Ms Randles said the health check options paper is to be published on November 20, followed by a market outlook paper in mid-December, which will include an evaluation of the quota system.

There will be a stakeholders’ conference in Brussels on January 11 with a policy accord timed for the spring.

She said the possible outcome of the health check will be all down to negotiations but predicted it will see further adjustment of market support instruments and a gradual expansion of milk quotas and effective elimination before 2015.