Common Agricultural Policy

(CAP) in the law of the European Union, one of the very foundations, being the legal regime supporting the coordination of agriculture in Europe. Although included in the common market, it was necessary to make special provision for agriculture because of the contradictory nature of the policies of some founding member states, made none the easier by the accession of others. The essence of it is that the market is unified, allowing free movement of goods throughout the community. There is a Community preference protecting the market against imports from outside and the CAP is to be financially secure: the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund was set up to this end. Market organisations have been set up for most products, which have the effect of stopping member states from setting up competing systems. The principal effect of the CAP differs in relation to different products: wheat and related produce are protected by intervention purchases made to support producers; beef and related produce are supported by excluding outside competition; and fruit and vegetables and wine are controlled by quality.

The intervention price is set as that at which the national authorities must buy certain crops – some farmers may be tempted to grow crops for the intervention price rather than any real market. The more member states become involved in the Union, the more interested they become in reforming the CAP rather than using it as an excuse for complaining.

The target price is part of the cereal market scheme. It is the price at which it is expected that sales can be made in the next year in the Community. It is not a fixed price. It is established annually by the Council with a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission after consulting the Parliament.

The threshold price is the price fixed for certain imports from outside countries. It protects Community farmers from outside cheap competition. It is fixed by taking the cost of imports through Rotterdam sold on the Duisburg market and making sure that it does not exceed the set internal target price for the Duisburg area. By deducting the transport costs of cereals from Rotterdam to Duisburg from the target price in Duisburg, the threshold price can be ascertained. The CAP is always under reconsideration and the object of proposals for reform.