Vol. 542 No. 5
148 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the Government's priorities for agriculture in the forthcoming World Trade Organisation talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25122/01]
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 of Ministers.
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.
Ireland has a particular interest in the outcome of the forthcoming negotiations especially in so far as export refunds and direct payments are concerned. I am satisfied that the EU's negotiating mandate provides a satisfactory framework for protecting the interests of the Irish agriculture and food industries.
