The basic principles on which the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was built were set out in the Treaty of Rome which was signed by the six original Member States of the European Community in March 1957. The CAP was created at a time when Europe was in deficit for most food products and its mechanisms were devised to meet this situation. However when it was drawn up, the agricultural situation in the founding states differed very widely from one country to another. The natural and economic circumstances and the relative importance of agriculture varied considerably from the North of Europe to the South. In addition, some countries had developed free trade systems, and others were fiercely protectionist. This diversity, which was destined to increase with the enlargement of the Community, did not deter the authors of the Treaty of Rome from creating a CAP