The proposed reform to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy has met with the approval of just one third of EU Member States. Nevertheless, delegates are optimistic they can reach agreement by the end of the week.

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According to Spanish sources quoted by OsterDowJones, the only countries to find the proposals acceptable are Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK. Irish sources confirmed they have rejected the proposed changes to farm subsidies.

The plan, which the EU Commission has produced as a draft compromise and which will shape EU farming policy for the next ten years, would allow up to 25% of crop subsidies and 30% of beef subsidies to remain linked to production levels. This constitutes a relaxation from earlier suggestions that all subsidies should be unrelated to output levels.

Talks, which are likely to continue until the end of the week, reconvened this morning with delegates reported by Reuters to be more optimistic that they could reach agreement. A Commission official is quoted as saying that “there’s a feeling what we should get a deal today”.

CAP reform is seen as crucial to kickstart the stalled Doha round of trade talks before ministers of the World Trade Organisation meet in the Mexican resort of Cancun in September.

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