Written Answers. - World Trade Organisation Meeting.
Michael Creed
Question:
197
Mr. Creed
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
his views on the establishment of consultative mechanisms between farming organisations and representatives of agriculture in majority world countries with EU agricultural ministers in the context of the agreement on agriculture being sought in the World Trade Organisation talks; and, if so, the steps, if any, he will take to have these consultations established.
[22125/99]
Enda Kenny
Question:
208
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Europe's negotiating position for the World Trade Organisation meeting in Seattle in November 1999 in respect of a new agreement on agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21107/99]
Enda Kenny
Question:
209
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
his views on the current agreement on agriculture drawn up in 1992; his views on whether this agreement favours stronger countries in allowing subsidies to be continued for produce which is currently in surplus; and Ireland's current position regarding the agreement and as a member of the European Union.
[21108/99]
Enda Kenny
Question:
210
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
the Government's position in respect of the production of food and agriculture development in majority world countries for food security and employment; the plans, if any, he has to attend at the World Trade Organisation meeting in Seattle; his negotiating position regarding Ireland's view on these matters within Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21109/99]
Tony Gregory
Question:
243
Mr. Gregory
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
his views on the issues raised regarding the meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Seattle in November 1999 (details supplied).
[21482/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 197, 208, 209, 210 and 243 together.
The World Trade Organisation's ministerial conference in Seattle from 30 November to 3 December 1999 aims to take the decisions necessary to launch a new round of trade negotiations, including agriculture. Ireland will participate in the Seattle conference and in the subsequent negotiations as a member of the European Union. The EU has been preparing its overall position for the Seattle Conference for some time. In so far as agriculture is concerned, the General Affairs Council confirmed the position adopted by the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers on 27 September 1999 that the negotiations on agriculture will be based on the mandate provided in Article 20 of the Uruguay Round Agreement on agriculture which conditions the long-term objectives of trade liberalisation by other concerns, notably the experience and effects of implementing the commitments agreed in 1994, non-trade concerns, special and differential treatment of developing countries and the objective to establish a fair and market-oriented agricultural trading system; the EU position will be based on the full Agenda 2000 package decided by the European Council in Berlin in March 1999; the EU will be prepared to negotiate reductions in support provided the concept of the "blue and green" boxes will continue; similar instruments to the peace clause and the special safeguard clause will be needed in the future; the EU will take forward the multifunctional role of agriculture, food safety, food quality and animal welfare, and the EU will actively promote special and differen tial treatment for developing countries, especially for the least developed countries.
The current GATT Agreement represented the culmination of an extremely long and complex series of negotiations and in effect was the first to contain a detailed agreement on agriculture. That agreement permitted the continuation of supports for agricultural products although providing for a gradual reduction over six years in export subsidies and certain other supports. These supports form an integral part of the Common Agricultural Policy and are essential to the maintenance of a reasonable income for Irish farmers and of the fabric of Irish rural life.
The EU grants preferential access to its markets for a wide range of agricultural products from developing countries mainly through its generalised scheme of preferences and the Lomé Convention. The EU development Ministers adopted in June 1997 a resolution on the issue of coherence between the community's development co-operation and its other policies. The areas covered by this resolution include food security. In the food security area, the resolution emphasises the need to ensure that agricultural exports and food aid in kind do not damage the production and marketing capacity of developing countries. The EU also operates a code of practice, adopted in 1997, in relation to food aid, which aims to avoid any harmful effects of food aid on local production and marketing structures.
I outlined my position in relation to the majority world issues, including the establishment of consultative mechanisms, in my reply to Questions Nos. 70-75 on Thursday 7 October 1999.
The Irish delegation at Seattle will be led by Mr. Tom Kitt, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for international trade. My Department will be represented on the delegation.
