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EU reaches deal on farm reforms EU reaches deal on farm reforms
(10 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 latest deal was reached by a qualified majority vote - it was not unanimous agreement, officials say.
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".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."