In the hour-long, one-off evidence session, the Committee will be exploring three key issues with Mr Paterson: his view on what the EU should and should not be doing in the area of environment, food and rural affairs, particularly in the light of the Government’s review of the balance of competences between the UK and the EU; reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

Issues Mr Paterson is likely to be pressed on include:

• the UK’s priorities for EU action in the area of environment, food and rural affairs over the next few years
• how the Government sees the link between environmental and energy objectives, particularly in relation to the development of new infrastructure, such as wind farms;
• any key outstanding issues in the CAP reform following the first meeting between the European Commission, Council and Parliament;
• what actions are planned to promote agricultural innovation in line with UK and EU growth agendas;
• his views on progress made in reforming the CFP; and
• how the recently negotiated discard ban, obliging fishermen to land all of their catch, will be implemented.

The evidence session will take place on Wednesday 15 May at 11am in Committee Room 2.