EU's agricultural commissioner, Franz Fischler, which is likely to shift spending from production subsidies to broader rural development goals.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

Franz Fischler, the farm commissioner, recently gave warning that without further price cuts the beef and dairy mountains would soon return.

ECONOMIST: The trials of fitting 25 members into a club built for six

Franz Fischler, the farm commissioner, and Sir Leon Brittan, the commissioner for trade, have also been giving the impression of business more or less as usual.

ECONOMIST: Romano Prodi, Europe��s lord-in-waiting