Lisbon Treaty — Parliament must approve the government's policy towards the Common Agricultural Policy — rejected — 4 Jun 2008 at 18:13

The majority Not-Contents rejected an amendment^[1] to the European Union (Amendment) Bill. This would have prevented the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Common Fisheries Policy unless the Secretary of State committed himself to a comprehensive reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy.

In speaking to the amendment Lord Taylor of Holbeach explains that:^[2]

• 'we know that Europe's common agricultural policy is too inflexible and too hidebound by national self-interest to change fast enough. It is not unreasonable to ask what the Government are doing to force the pace of change. I remind noble Lords that the Government gave up our rebate on the promised reform of the common agricultural policy.'

However, Lord Bach explained how the government was trying to push CAP reform and, therefore, felt the amendment was unnecessary^[3].

The European Union (Amendment) Bill implements the Lisbon Treaty into UK law. The main aims of the Lisbon Treaty were to^[4]:

• Streamline EU institutions
• Establish a permanent President of the European Council (as of 16 March 2010 held by Herman Van Rompuy)
• Establish the post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (as of 16 March 2010 held by Catherine Ashton)
• Give new powers to the EU over justice and home affairs
• Remove the national veto in some areas such as energy security and emergency aid

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• [1] Lord Taylor of Holbeach, House of Lords, 4 June 2008
• [2] Lord Taylor of Holbeach, House of Lords, 4 June 2008
• [3] Lord Bach, House of Lords, 4 June 2008
• [4] BBC News Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty, 5 February 2010

Debate in Parliament | Source |