Vol. 466 No. 3
1 Mr. R. Burke asked the asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, in view of the continuing ban on the import of British beef and beef products by the EU, the implications, if any, for Ireland and the EU arising from Britain's decision to utilise its veto. [11110/96]
3 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the effect, if any, he anticipates the new British attitude of non co-operation with the EU, as recently annunciated by the British Prime Minister, will have on the Union; and the effect, if any, it will have on Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the EU and the work programme of that Presidency. [11278/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 3 together.
On 21 May, Prime Minister Major announced in the House of Commons that without progress towards lifting the ban on the export of the British beef, Britain could not be expected to co-operate normally on other Community business. He indicated that progress would not be possible in the intergovernmental conference or elsewhere until Britain had agreement on lifting the ban on beef derivatives — tallow, semen and gelatine — and a clear framework in place leading to lifting of the wider ban. In the light of the Prime Minister's statement British Ministers and officials have blocked the adoption of measures and conclusions where unanimity is required in the Council.
British action was taken in response to the failure of the Standing Veterinary Committee at its meeting on 20 May to give a positive opinion on Commission proposals to lift the ban on the export of derivatives. The issue now goes to the Agriculture Council at its meeting in Luxembourg on Monday next. If Agriculture Ministers fail to decide then it will fall to the Commission to assume its responsibilities and to lift the ban on the derivatives. Ireland has supported and will continue to support the Commission's proposals on the derivatives. Ireland has a major interest in the restoration of confidence in the beef industry within the Union. We also have a vital interest in the restoration of confidence in European beef in third country markets.
The strength of the European Union lies in its capacity to demonstrate solidarity and reach European solutions, even to apparently intractable problems. Confidence can be restored only if the member states act together showing solidarity with each other. The solution to mutual concerns can be found only in common action and decisions on the basis of sound scientific advice. This involves member states demonstrating, as Ireland has done, an understanding of British concerns, including the seriousness of the problem of BSE and its impact on British public opinion. Equally, the restoration of confidence involves an understanding by Britain of the legitimate concerns of partners.
I regret the actions taken by the British Government. They pose problems for the conduct of Union business. It does not serve anyone's interest that the Union's freedom of action should be impaired. For instance, it cannot be in anyone's interest that agreement be held up on measures designed to ensure the efficient operation of the Single Market from which all member states, not least Britain, have benefited. Similar considerations apply in other areas such as development co-operation and EUROPOL.
At present the problem of British non co-operation is one to be dealt with by the Italian Presidency. I understand that Italy is in contact with Britain at the highest level to find a solution to the BSE problem and to urge a measured approach. I support the Presidency in its efforts. I also support the determined efforts being made by the European Commission to find a solution.
I hope that a solution can be found at Union level to British concerns before Ireland assumes the Presidency. It is too early to say at this stage what the effect of continued UK non co-operation might be although I am sure that in any event our partners will want to continue to make progress on the Union agenda to defend the gains of European integration. Finally, it is worth recalling that all member states, including the UK, depend on an effectively functioning European Union. It is in everyone's interest to avoid a spiral of actions and reactions which in some circumstances could have a very damaging effect on the operation of Union policies.
Will the Minister agree that the so-called mad cow disease problem not only affects Britain but it is having a huge effect on our economy? The beef industry is our largest industry. Will the Minister agree that the Government and all its agencies should make every effort to persuade the British to end its non co-operation with Europe and to assist hard pressed farmers in finding markets?
I have little to add to my formal reply. One must accept this is a serious problem for the Irish economy which is evident from the debate. It is a problem the Taoiseach, myself, other Government Ministers, including the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, our embassies abroad and the State agencies have set out to address in every fora to do everything possible to reinstate confidence in the Irish beef industry. We will continue to do that and I know we have the support of every Member given the importance of the beef sector in the Irish economy. It is a European problem which impacts severely on our economy and one which we want to bring to a conclusion as quickly as possible. It is currently very much a problem for the Italian Presidency as we are now in the lead-up to the European summit in Florence. I know from my brief discussion yesterday with the Italian Foreign Minister, Mr. Dini, that he intends to have discussions with his British counterpart. The new Italian Prime Minister has been in contact with the British Prime Minister to see if a resolution can be found. The meeting of the Agriculture Ministers on Monday next in Brussels will be an important one. If the ban on derivatives can be lifted in the first instance, we can move on to finding an ultimate resolution.
Will the Minister tell the House the reason he has not visited any of the third countries with which we have markets in order to assist the beef industry? The Minister will be aware that in third countries decisions are taken at a political level in relation to purchasing of products, particularly beef, and yet he has not visited any country as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Why has he been so negligent in relation to that issue?
I do not accept Deputy Burke's allegation that I have been negligent in my duties. The Government has taken steps as appropriate in relation to this difficulty. The Taoiseach, the Minister of State and myself have had conversations with various Ministers in third countries, we have made a certain degree of progress and will continue to monitor the situation.
Is the Minister hopeful that the Italian Presidency will succeed in resolving the issue between the EU and Britain? Has the Minister any assurances to that effect and what contingency plans has he laid against the possibility that we will have a non-functioning European Union when Ireland takes over the Presidency a few weeks from now?
I gave an indication of our thoughts on that matter when I replied formally to the question set down by Deputy Burke. One has to appreciate the fact that the problem of BSE affects all member states of the European Union. The resolution to the problem will be found only by a restoration of confidence in the beef industry in the European Union and by all member states acting together and showing solidarity. I said to Deputy Burke, in the formal reply and in the supplementary, that a number of weeks remain of the Italian Presidency. I had discussions yesterday with the Italian Foreign Minister and I know that at highest level there have been discussions between the Italian Presidency of the European Union and the British Government. We have to support those efforts. The meeting of the Agricultural Council on Monday next will have a significant bearing on the seriousness of the problems facing the Irish Presidency.
BSE will remain an issue during our Presidency. It would be foolish to think otherwise, given the scale of the existing problem. On assuming the Presidency, and indeed in preparing for it, we will analyse the issue in light of future developments, including for example the Agricultural Council meeting next Monday. We will work with our partners towards finding solutions to the problems posed by the BSE crisis.
May I suggest that one might usefully import a twin-track approach from other negotiations? The Minister might, for instance, put the beef derivatives into a particular category. Will he agree there is a strong case to be made for making concessions to the United Kingdom, on some of the derivatives at any rate, in order to create some sense of momentum in that country and enable them to feel they are in a process which is resolving the issue, rather than coming up against a stone wall?
As I said, we have supported the proposal to lift the ban on the derivatives and we will continue to do so, based on the technical veterinary advice available to us. If that happens next Monday, it will be a step in the right direction. We can then have a discussion with the British Government at European level to work out a satisfactory timeframe for the resolution of the larger problem.
