I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 36 and 38 together.
Overall the outcome of the World Trade Organisation's ministerial conference was highly successful from both a European Union and Irish Presidency perspective.
The conference agreed a ministerial declaration which addresses the central issues relevant to the further strengthening of the multilateral trading system and sets out a work programme for the organisation.
Ministers also approved a plan of action for least developed countries aimed at improving the capacity of these countries to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the multilateral trading system. They also endorsed recommendations that action be initiated within the framework of the Food Aid Convention with a view to the establishment of food aid commitments sufficient to meet the needs of least developed and net food importing developing countries during the Uruguay round reform process. The aim is to cover a wider range of donors and donable foodstuffs than currently covered by the Food Aid Convention, to develop guidelines so that an increasing proportion of food aid is provided in fully grant form and-or on appropriate concessional terms and to improve the effectiveness and positive impact of food aid. The EU, under Ireland's Presidency, was to the fore in promoting the approval of these decisions in favour of developing countries.
The conference also agreed to the setting up of working groups to explore the possibility of further WTO action in the areas of trade and investment and trade and competition. The establishment of these groups was an EU priority. On labour standards, WTO members renewed their commitment to the observance of internationally recognised core labour standards and noted the continuing collaboration between the secretaries of the WTO and the International Labour Organisation.
In relation to the environment, the conference renewed the mandate of the WTO's Committee on Trade and Environment, following the acceptance of its report by all WTO members. The EU had hoped for concrete decisions that would have confirmed the compatibility with WTO rules of certain trade measures taken for environmental reasons. The EU did not achieve its ambitions in this respect mainly due to the position taken by many developing countries who fear that environmental measures may be used as a form of trade protectionism. However, the renewal of the mandate of this committee, with its comprehensive work programme, will give an opportunity for the EU to pursue its aim of fully incorporating environmental concerns into the multilateral trading system.
