Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 3

Written Answers - World Trade Organisation Negotiations.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

183 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, in regard to the World Trade Organisation negotiations, he will (a) seek a moratorium on agricultural trade negotiations until impact assessment on food security in the majority world have been carried out, (b) insist that any future agreement on agriculture prioritises the establishment of a mechanism to take account of majority food security concerns (c) develop a broader concept of multi-functional agriculture which recognises the importance of agriculture in majority world countries for food security and employment (d) take steps, with Ireland's EU partners, to minimise the negative effects of CAP instruments on individual developing countries and regions (e) urge EU Agriculture Ministers to establish consultative mechanisms with farming organisations and other appropriate bodies in the majority world (f) provide information and technical support to majority world countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26207/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The agreement on agriculture concluded in 1994 as part of the Uruguay round agreement under the auspices of GATT, now renamed the World Trade Organisation, commits WTO members to resume negotiations for the continuation of the agricultural trade liberalisation process in 1999. The aim of the WTO ministerial conference in Seattle from 30 November to 3 December 1999 was to define the scope of a new round of negotiations, including non-agricultural issues. The conference was adjourned without reaching agreement and without a date being set for its resumption. The negotiations on agriculture are, in any event, provided for in the 1994 agreement on agriculture and will be based on Article 20 of that agreement. Article 20 requires that account be taken of the experience and effects of implementing commitments agreed in 1994, non-trade concerns, special and differential treatment of developing countries and the objective to create a fair and market oriented agricultural trading system. Ireland will be participating in the negotiations as a member of the EU.

The EU already 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 and it has already proposed that the WTO should enter into a commitment to ensure duty-free market access no later than the end of the new round of negotiations for essentially all products exported by the least developed countries.

At its September meeting, the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers accepted the need to ensure that the concept of the multifunctional role of agriculture is acknowledged and given due recognition in the WTO negotiations. With regard to the need to provide technical support for developing countries, I am aware that FAO is providing such support to assist these countries. In addition, the WTO organised a seminar on trade and development issues earlier this year, while more recently FAO held a similar meeting specifically on agriculture, trade and food security. These efforts are indications of a recognition in the international community of the importance of trade issues to food security, as was also underlined in the conclusions of the World Food Summit – WFS – in 1996. The Government fully shares that perspective and participates actively in the follow-up process to the WFS, which provides a mechanism for international consultation on food security.

On 1 December in Seattle, Ireland signed, subject to ratification, the agreement establishing an advisory centre for developing countries on WTO law. The centre will provide advice and assistance for developing countries – in particular the least developed countries – in defending their trade rights. Finally, while I would be open to contact from representative organisations in developing countries, consultation with their own Governments, which will participate in the WTO negotiations, would be the most appropriate action in most cases.