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Rural Payments Agency

My hon. Friend has long been a critic of the system of farm support that has existed in this country. I know of his concern for ordinary people facing difficulties, however, which he will extend to people in any circumstances. In the longer term, the purpose and effect of the overall reforms of the common agricultural policy introduced in 2003 will be to link farmers more closely to the market and, as my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood (Paddy Tipping) said a few moments ago, to put public money in payment for public good—things that the market will not reward.