100 Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the efforts of EU Commissioner, Sir Leon Brittan, to initiate a debate leading to a radical reform of the CAP in preparation for the entry of the new countries of Central and Eastern Europe; the steps, if any, he will take with his other EU counterparts to protect the interests of Irish and European farmers by strengthening the MacSharry reform measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1641/95]

I am aware of the recent reports commissioned by the Directorate General for Trade — DGI — of the European Commission on agricultural policy in the European Union and in Central and Eastern European Countries in the context of the possible accession of those countries to the Union.