EC FARM REFORMS AND THE URUGUAY ROUND.

Feb 7, 1991

EC FARM REFORMS AND THE URUGUAY ROUND.

AN INTER PRESS SERVICE FEATURE. BY DEBRA PERCIVAL. BRUSSELS, FEBRUARY 5 (IPS) – Amid signs of progress in getting stalled talks on reforming world trade - the Uruguay Round - back on track, the European Community (EC) is studying a farm reform plan that observers say will aid the process. Yet, the 12 EC farm Ministers were at pains Tuesday to stress that reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) "should not be linked" to the derailed Uruguay Round talks, being held under the auspices of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).The CAP reform plan includes provisions for tightening controls over rising production of some crops by reducing price supports.

Frisch said transport projects would remain a priority for the SADCC's development under Lome IV in spite of the internal changes within South Africa which are expected to provide the region with transport outlets.

Transport links like the Beira corridor, re-developed with EC funds, would not become "cathedrals in the desert", he said.