It's easy to say the entire system of aids and tariffs should just be dismantled, when the questions involved are complex and reform calls for carefully-considered measures over a reasonable length of time. Not only because simple abolition of the CAP would cause disruption in a number of EU countries, but because it would not be so very favourable to the poorer developing countries, as Mandelson points out. Simple, brutal suppression of agri-tariffs will only be to the advantage of agri-exporters like Brazil.

In fact, Brown's outburst is a bit of a kick in the shins for Mandelson. What chums these fellows all are!