The Common Agricultural Policy is set for "real change" according to rural affairs secretary Margaret Beckett.

Following an all night meeting in Brussels, Beckett said that European Union ministers had agreed on reform.

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: "The reforms are more limited than Franz Fischler's earlier proposals, but provide a method by which nations can advance away from the idea of production-driven subsidies towards the social, environmental and economic benefits which the single farm payment can lead to. These member states will be able to lead by example and demonstrate the advantages to those countries who believe that subsidised food production is the only viable way for CAP to function."A move away from production-driven subsidies is something for which the Alliance has been calling for a long time. However, to produce the social and economic benefits that we have all been hoping for it needs to be implemented across the board, not just in those member states that wish to do so - it is after all, supposed to be a Common Policy."

Forum Response: National Consumer Council

Deirdre Hutton, chairman of the National Consumer Council, said: "Reforms are going in the right direction - but at a snail's pace. It's been a case of one step forward, two steps back.

"Throughout negotiations, proposals have been watered down every step of the way. These proposals offer very little for consumers.

"It's more important than ever that the UK government continues its programme of farm reform."

Forum Response: Consumers' Association

Sheila McKechnie, director of the Consumers' Association, said: "This is a tragic missed opportunity, and once again it is consumers who will pay the price.

"With crucial WTO trade talks now under way, this is a desperate attempt by the EU to con our trading partners into believing that EU farm subsidies are really rural and environmental policies. In reality, they are little more than the old production subsidies rebranded with green window-dressing.

"The only thing green about this deal is anyone who believes it represents real reform.

"I fail to see the purpose of a reform which allows payments to continue more or less as they are, with the same amounts of money going to the same people, irrespective of need, forcing poorer families to subsidise better-off farmers.

"Consumers' Association's research suggests that EU agricultural subsidies currently cost the average UK family of four around £16 per week in tax and higher food prices."