EU farmers oppose accelerated CAP reform

EU farmer repeated their opposition to key elements of the Commission's CAP reform proposals on April 11th 2003, maintaining they would only accept minor modifications before 2007. Farmers leaders accepted some degree of modulation but felt on-going reform was generating too much uncertainty. Strong opposition was expressed to decoupling of farm aid payments, a key component of the reform package. In the face of this opposition some member states are advocating partial decoupling. Comment: Partial decoupling is likely to offer the way forward for CAP reform. This however is likely to act as a stimulus to EU production, since if production is threatened member states can call for product-specific support.EU farmer repeated their opposition to key elements of the Commission's CAP..