Reform and Adjustment in the European Union: The 2003 Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and Enlargement

This paper aims at presenting the main findings of an impact analysis of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy on the agricultural markets and income of the current and the enlarged European Union over the 2004-2010 period, with specific investigation of the impact of the single farm payment. This policy changes towards significantly less-trade distorting instruments should reduce the risk of structural surpluses. The market projections indicate that adjustment of production would take part in key areas of agricultural production in Europe (cereal, beef and dairy production) while keeping agricultural income little affected.