French lead battle against price cuts in marathon talks

DEEP cuts in milk prices are likely to be partly conceded in the latest round of talks between EU Agriculture Ministers, which started yesterday.

The French negotiators who collapsed the talks last Thursday will make the proposed cuts of up to 25% one of their prime targets in this week's resumed bargaining.

The French are the key to a successful conclusion of the CAP Mid Term Review, having threatened last week to veto any agreement which did not meet their approval.