Page "Common Agricultural Policy" Paragraph 16

In 1992, the MacSharry reforms ( named after the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Ray MacSharry ) were created to limit rising production, while at the same time adjusting to the trend toward a more free agricultural market.

The reforms reduced levels of support by 29 % for cereals and 15 % for beef.

They also created ' set-aside ' payments to withdraw land from production, payments to limit stocking levels, and introduced measures to encourage retirement and afforestation.