Bruton will review EU's agricultural policy for European parties

The former Taoiseach, Mr John Bruton, is to lead a major review of the Common Agricultural Policy on behalf of the European People's Party and the European Democratic Union.

The review emerged from his proposal to a recent meeting of the European People's Party: "This is quite an important exercise for Ireland because the finances of the CAP are under threat from BSE," the former Fine Gael leader said.

The review, which will be cochaired by Mr Bruton and another senior European politician, will help to influence agricultural policy among the 40 Christian Democrat EPP/EDU parties throughout the EU.

"One of the participants will be Franz Fischler (the European Agriculture Commissioner). That will be quite important. We will have access at the very highest level," said Mr Bruton, who is hoping to produce a preliminary report by June.

"The Green Minister for Agriculture in Germany has become very popular for stressing all sorts of issues surrounding organic farming. They (German Christian Democrats) need to show that they are doing something. "I am very interested in European politics and I want to play the best part that I can," Mr Bruton told The Irish Times.

According to some in FG, Mr Bruton might be tempted to run in Leinster in the next European Parliament elections in 2004.