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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| EU reaches deal on farm reforms | EU reaches deal on farm reforms |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| EU farm ministers have agreed to reform agricultural policy by shifting more subsidies away from production and liberalising the dairy market. | EU farm ministers have agreed to reform agricultural policy by shifting more subsidies away from production and liberalising the dairy market. |
| The deal on reforming the Common Agricultural Policy came on Thursday after protracted late-night talks. | The deal on reforming the Common Agricultural Policy came on Thursday after protracted late-night talks. |
| More subsidies will be transferred to conservation rather than providing a safety net linked to farm production. | More subsidies will be transferred to conservation rather than providing a safety net linked to farm production. |
| Milk quotas will be raised in the short term, but later scrapped. The measures will go into effect during 2009-2013. | Milk quotas will be raised in the short term, but later scrapped. The measures will go into effect during 2009-2013. |
| The changes build on a major CAP reform enacted in 2003. | The changes build on a major CAP reform enacted in 2003. |
| The aim is to shift more funding into rural development and conservation measures, and away from the traditional incentives for farmers to produce. | The aim is to shift more funding into rural development and conservation measures, and away from the traditional incentives for farmers to produce. |
| All farms qualifying for a minimum of 5,000 euros (£4,208; $6,312) in annual EU subsidies will shift 5% of their EU money into rural development projects by 2012, on top of the 5% that is currently obligatory. | All farms qualifying for a minimum of 5,000 euros (£4,208; $6,312) in annual EU subsidies will shift 5% of their EU money into rural development projects by 2012, on top of the 5% that is currently obligatory. |
| Reform of milk quotas has long been a thorny issue, with France and Germany especially voicing concerns about the plan to remove them altogether by 2014. | Reform of milk quotas has long been a thorny issue, with France and Germany especially voicing concerns about the plan to remove them altogether by 2014. |
| Speaking before the deal was reached, French Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier said he would "not allow the milk quotas to be scrapped without accompanying measures, precautions being taken". | |
| "Some would like to lift all restrictions on milk production. We know perfectly well that if we produce a lot more, the prices drop, and everyone loses." | "Some would like to lift all restrictions on milk production. We know perfectly well that if we produce a lot more, the prices drop, and everyone loses." |