The fashioning of Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and of subsequent reform packages largely reflected the needs of food producers and those responsible for food security. But with a radical re-think of the EU’s entire budget now putting heavy pressure on CAP structures, the outlook is also clouded by the introduction of so many new considerations.

What will be the impact of the CAP reform debate of issues ranging from climate change and biofuels to rural economic development and third world trade policy? Will such established practices as export subsidies, set-aside and intervention buying survive the coming reform round, and how much will CAP spending shift from major landowners and smallholders to medium-sized farmers and to environmental measures and new rural businesses.

On 21 January 2008, from 17.30 to 19.30, Friends of Europe organised the first of its Café Crossfire debates of the year, to address these issues.

Speakers:

• Michel Barnier, French Agriculture Minister and Friends of Europe Trustee;
• Rolf Eriksson, Swedish State Secretary for Agriculture;
• Jean Martin, President, Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA).

After the debate, an invitation-only dinner gave Friends of Europe's VIP members the opportunity to discuss these issues further with the speakers and other stakeholders.