MEPs walk out on Beckett address

MEPs have stormed out of a European Parliament committee meeting over unclear explanations from a UK minister on plans to reform EU agriculture policy and funding.

UK agriculture minister Margaret Beckett - addressing MEPs in the agriculture committee on the British government's priorities for its EU presidency - was repeatedly questioned over London plans to shake up EU rural policy and cut spending.

Five furious MEPs left the meeting on Tuesday after Beckett gave apparently unclear and misleading answers to a series of questions on the UK's agricultural policy - despite pleas from the minister to stay.

"The presentation of the policy programme lasted only five minutes and was very superficial," said Agnes Schierhuber, one of the MEPs who left the committee meeting.

"She said the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) needs reform - without acknowledging the reforms already undertaken. She was not willing to talk or discuss with MEPs in general".

Neil Parish MEP, who sits on the same committee said the minister's performance was "lacklustre" and that her direct manner offended some of the members.

The UK conservative spokesman on rural affairs also said Beckett concentrated on previous CAP deals and was unable to give clear answers to questions regarding the government's plans for the future of EU agricultural policy and funding

"Margaret Beckett has shown just how little detailed thinking lies behind the Government's rhetoric on CAP reform and the EU budget".

A row over agriculture subsidies - already agreed until 2013  - and the UK's controversial budget rebate were regarded as major sticking points in the EU's budget discussions which broke up without agreement at the summit of EU leaders in June.

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