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45 J. Common Mkt. Stud. 1 (2007)

handle is hein.journals/jcmks45 and id is 1 raw text is: JCMS 2007 Volume 45. Number 1. pp. 1-22 The Politics of CAP Reform: Trade Negotiations, Institutional Settings and Blame Avoidance* CARSTEN DAUGBJERG University of Aarhus ALAN SWINBANK University of Reading Abstract In this article we argue that the conclusion of the GATT Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture and the subsequent role of the WTO has changed the international context of CAP policy-making. However, comparing the three latest CAP reforms, we demonstrate that pressures on the CAP arising from international trade negotiations cannot alone account for the way in which the EU responds in terms of CAP reform. The institutional setting within which the reform package was determined also played a crucial role. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the CoAM seems to be a more conducive setting than the European Council for undertaking substantial reform of the CAP. We suggest that the choice of institutional setting is influenced by the desire of farm ministers and of heads of state or government to avoid blame for unpopular decisions. When CAP reform is an integral part of a broader package, farm ministers pass the final decision to the European Council and when CAP reform is defined as a separate issue the European Council avoids involvement. Introduction Since its inception in the 1960s, the European Union's common agricultural policy (CAP) has undergone a number of incremental changes, often referred * We thank a number of individuals who have helped us in this long endeavour: Arlindo Cunha for his early encouragement; the participants of the 2004 meeting of the Danish network of agricultural policy researchers, Wyn Grant, Philippa Sherrington and the JCMS's referees for helpful comments on earlier drafts. But we cannot shift onto them the blame for any errors, omissions, or misinterpretations that remain. Carsten Daugbjerg is grateful to the Danish Social Science Research Council for funding. C 2007 The Author(s) Journal compilation C 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK and 350 Main Street Malden, MA 02148, USA