São Paulo, 6/30/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The giant, impregnable protectionist fortress of the rich countries has now been scratched," declared minister of Agriculture, Robert Rodrigues, referring to the Common Agriculture Policy movement in the European Union which announced that the block would now be less restrictive in its farm policy.

According to Rodrigues, the announcement could result in a chain reaction because president George W. Bush of the United States told president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, during the latter's recent visit to Washington, that if Europe reduced protectionist measures the US would be willing to do the same. "The first step was taken by the Europeans. Now we hope this will lead to positive results in the next Doha Round negotiations in Cancun in September," said the minister. (AB)