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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 8

Written Answers. - GATT Talks Breakdown.

Peter Barry

Question:

232 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement on the recent breakdown of the GATT talks; the long term implications for this country and our vital agricultural industry as a result of this breakdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The position is that the GATT talks have not broken down and that bilateral talks are continuing between the Commission, as the Community's negotiator, and the US in an effort to resolve outstanding differences.

The Irish position on agriculture aspects is well known and I have expressed it forcefully at every available opportunity. I have been in regular contact with Commissioner MacSharry on the issue and have expressed my concerns at successive Agriculture Councils and in bilateral meetings with my Community colleagues.
My major concerns on agriculture relate primarily to the need to safeguard the Common Agricultural Policy reform compensation, to maintain adequate opportunities of exports to third countries and to ensure that the various commitments undertaken in the different areas are compatible with each other. I welcome progress made at recent meetings in safeguarding the compensatory and Disadvantaged Area payments from GATT disciplines but difficulties remain in other areas.
Any agreement reached will of course be subject to Council approval. You can be assured that I will be insisting in these dicussions that a GATT outcome cannot be at the expense of the critical interest of any member state. I will also be insisting that an agreement must be comprehensive and balanced, involving equivalent progress in areas other than agriculture.
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