Common Agricultural Policy

There are all sorts of competing interests. We heard from the hon. Member for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy) that she is keen to ensure that member states cannot simply slide away from the commitments that they make. It is difficult to answer on what the final outcome will be. We are clear about our objectives, which are to simplify the current proposals dramatically in order to achieve the environmental objectives, but with enough flexibility to ensure that we do not engage in complications that would jeopardise some of the things that we have in this country. We certainly do not want to increase costs. At the moment, I can give no assurance to the hon. Gentleman about the end result of the negotiations. All I can give him an assurance of is our best endeavours toward that end.