THE CAP REFORM: WILL THE REAL ONE COME SOME DAY?

Florence JACQUET (CIHEAM-IAM Montpellier)

At the present time, there are several reasons for reforming the CAP. First, the EU-15 must now integrate the requests of the European citizens for environment and food safety. Secondly, considering OMC requirements, the expiry at the end of 2003 of the 'Peace Clause' agreed in the Uruguay Round brings further challenge to reform agricultural CAP subsidies . Lastly, the eastern enlargement of the CAP raises the problem of the financial sustainability of the European Policy, and requires finally an in-depth reform.

The mid term review proposed by the European Commission in July 2002, is probably not the end of the story, but it is one of the available options, quite consistent with previous reforms. This paper examines the stakes of the CAP reform, and the different possible scenarios for 2006.