Desmond J. O'Malley
Question:34 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the up-to-date position on the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations; and the likely effect on Irish farming.
Written Answers. - GATT Negotiations.
Edward Nealon
Question:36 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he intends to seek the support of the new French Government to oppose the proposed US-EC GATT conclusions and to re-open the question of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Finucane
Question:41 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he intends to seek the support of the new French Government to oppose the proposed US-EC GATT conclusions and to re-open the question of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:52 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he intends to seek the support of the new French Government to oppose the proposed US-EC GATT conclusions and to reopen the question of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Nora Owen
Question:60 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he intends to seek the support of the new French Government to oppose the proposed US-EC GATT conclusions and to re-open the question of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Frank Crowley
Question:73 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he intends to seek the support of the new French Government to oppose the proposed US-EC GATT conclusions and to reopen the question of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Creed
Question:76 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he intends to seek the support of the new French Government to oppose the proposed US-EC GATT conclusions and to reopen the question of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 36, 41, 52, 60, 73 and 76 together.
The GATT negotiations were comprehensively debated in this House on 16 and 17 February and they were the subject of a series of parliamentary questions on 25 February. On those occasions, I outlined fully the most recent developments and my position on the negotiations.
There have been little or no developments at international level since then. The new US Administration has stated that it is committed to concluding the negotiations by the end of the year but has yet to apply to the Congress for an extension of the fast-track negotiating procedure. In addition, it has still to indicate its attitude to the proposals currently on the table in respect of the different subject areas, including agriculture. Pending the clarification of these aspects, it is unlikely that there will be any substantive developments in the negotiations, at least in the short term.
Within the EC Council, we have been examining the draft EC/US deal and in particular its compatibility with the reformed Common Agricultural Policy. There was an inconclusive discussion on the report at the Council in March and the matter will be taken up again at our next meeting. Together with a number of my colleagues, I reiterated our serious reservations regarding the commitments contained in the agreement and pressed for further analysis to be undertaken before the Council adopts a final position on the agreement.
The effect of a GATT agreement on Irish farming will depend on the arrangements made within the Community to meet whatever commitments are finally agreed. I will continue in the ongoing discussions to defend Ireland's vital agricultural and food interests and to seek to ensure that whatever is finally agreed is compatible with Common Agricultural Policy reform. I will in any event insist that we get firm commitments that our vital interests are protected. A number of my colleagues in the Council also have serious concerns and it is expected that the new French Government will continue the strong line adopted by that country in the negotiations to date. We will, of course, continue to liaise with the French authorities and colleagues as the negotiations develop.
Finally, as regards Common Agricultural Policy reform, the overall effects of that agreement are positive for Ireland. The question of re-opening the negotiations does not arise.