asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will give a report on the current GATT negotiations in Geneva as they affect Irish agriculture and in particular cheese production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - GATT Negotiations.
26.
The present position is that a number of offers and requests for trade concessions on certain agricultural products, including cheese, are under consideration by the parties to the negotiations and final positions on these have not yet been adopted. I am sure the Deputy will understand that it would not be proper for me to give detailed information on these matters while they are still the subject of negotiation. Nor can I speculate at this stage what the outcome of these negotiations will be.
I would like to assure the Deputy, however, that Ireland's aim in the negotiations is to secure improved access to third country markets for Community agricultural products while, at the same time, ensuring that any reciprocal concessions granted by the Community are not harmful.
Might I ask the Minister if it is still the position that Ireland will resolutely oppose any attempt to obtain access to the Community market for New Zealand cheese, or am I to read his reply as indicating a subtle change in that position by virtue of the fact that New Zealand cheese is not mentioned?
Ireland's main concern in the negotiations from the agricultural viewpoint is to ensure that the Commission stays within its mandate and does not attempt to negotiate the common agricultural policy, the principles and mechanics of which are not negotiable; also to ensure that concessions are not granted which would be harmful to our interests. Those are the main concerns.
Would the Minister consider a concession to allow New Zealand cheese to be imported to the Community, in particular to Britain?
No, I certainly would not.
That is a separate question.
I take it the Minister would be prepared to use his veto at the Council of Ministers to prevent such a happening?
We have always done this. We have always been opposed to the policy of importing cheese into the United Kingdom, or indeed to any other policy that might be harmful to the sale of our agricultural products within the Community.