Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 6

Written Answers. - WTO Negotiations.

Beverley Flynn

Question:

23 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the stance put forward for negotiations by Ireland in the World Trade Organisation talks; the progress, if any, achieved to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17666/00]

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

The European Union participates in the World Trade Organisation negotiations as a single entity with the EU Commission conducting the negotiations in accordance with a mandate adopted by the Council of Ministers. The EU negotiating mandate for agriculture was adopted by the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers on 27 September 1999 and confirmed subsequently by the General Affairs Council, in preparation for the comprehensive round of negotiations which was to be launched by the WTO ministerial conference in Seattle at the end of last year. The main points of the mandate are the negotiations on agriculture will be based on the principles enshrined in Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture under the Uruguay Round which recognises "that the long-term objective of substantial progressive reductions in support and protection resulting in fundamental reform is an on-going process"; 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; the EU is prepared to negotiate reductions in export subsidies provided that all such support, especially export credits and less transparent forms of export support, is treated on an equal basis; similar instruments to the Peace Clause and the Special Safeguard Clause will be needed in the future; an appropriate balance will be sought between trade and non-trade issues; the EU will seek recognition for the multifunctional role of agriculture, and for the EU's high standards of food safety, food quality and animal welfare, and the EU will actively promote special and differential treatment for developing countries, especially for the least developed countries.

The WTO ministerial conference adjourned without reaching agreement on the launch of a new comprehensive round of negotiations. However, Article 20 of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture requires WTO members to initiate negotiations on agriculture, irrespective of whether a new comprehensive round has been launched. Accordingly, negotiations on agriculture commenced on 24 March, 2000 in Geneva with a special session of the WTO Committee on Agriculture. The Council of Agri culture Ministers decided at the April council meeting that the negotiating mandate already agreed would apply to these negotiations. The WTO Committee on Agriculture will meet again on 29 and 30 June and in September and November. The period to the end of the year will be taken up with analysis of current issues. The Commission will be submitting position papers on the EU's priorities and concerns. Substantive negotiations are unlikely to get under way until early next year.

I have been actively involved in the EU Council of Ministers in the preparation of the EU negotiating mandate and I will be working to ensure that the EU negotiating position is upheld, in the WTO negotiations.