ABSTRACT
In the case of agriculture, with wide divergences between the relative size and structure of the sector in each member state, it is inevitable that inter-country transfers will arise from any common agricultural policy (CAP). The relevant question is not to do with whether one member country is paying a disproportionate amount of the agricultural support cost, but whether the method of support used is the most effective way of transferring income to the target groups. The belief underlying is that both the growth of the Community budget and the distribution of the benefits and burden arising from the budget are inextricably linked to the CAP. Solutions to these problems will not be found in changes in budgetary mechanism but only in changes in the CAP itself. The defenders of the CAP often claim that, it represents a vital pillar in the whole Community structure. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
