Vol. 497 No. 4
90 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will take action with European Ministers for Agriculture to ensure that actions taken on behalf of European farmers do not have a detrimental effect on the thousands of workers in South Africa who work in the fruit and canning industry; if he will recommend that South African produce gains fair access to the European market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25214/98]
The European Union and South Africa are both members of the World Trade Organisation and as such are bound by its agreements and rules of trade.
The EU and South Africa have been negotiating a trade and co-operation agreement since 1995. The negotiations are being conducted on the EU side by the European Commission in accordance with the negotiating mandate adopted by the Council of Ministers in June 1995 and amended by the Council in March 1996.
I support the conclusion of an agreement between the EU and South Africa in accordance with the Council's negotiating mandate.
