The common European CommissionDirectorate-General for Agriculture agricultural policy2000 ReviewA great deal of additional information on the European Union is available on the Internet.It can be accessed through the Europa server (http://europa.eu.int)Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2001ISBN 92-894-1633-5© European Communities, 2001Reproduction authorised provided the source is acknowledgedPrinted in BelgiumRINTED ON WHITE CHLORINE-FREE PAPERPTable of contents Foreword 52000 – The year in review 6The year on the markets 8Rural development in 2000 12Protecting the environment 14Putting consumers first 15Funding the CAP 17Enlarging the Union 19Trade 22Conclusions and outlook 252000 Review › 34 ‹ The common agricultural policyForewordThe year 2000 saw the start of Developments on the international scene have alsoone of the most important influenced agricultural reform, both in the EU and fur-reforms of the CAP: Agenda ther afield. In the interests of creating a level playing2000. The reforms mark a new field for farmers across the world, rules agreed at thestage in the continuing reform World Trade Organisation (WTO) now place limits onprocess, which aims to bring the support nations can give their farming communities.