Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 4

Written Answers. - Fishing Industry Development.

Monica Barnes

Question:

72 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position in the World Trade Organisation negotiations in relation to the granting of duty free access to the European Union for fish and fish products from the least developed countries; the countries he will include in that classification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29005/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey):

The World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in Doha last week culminated in a comprehensive declaration by participating Ministers setting the way forward for negotiations. This declaration provides for the undertaking of a detailed work programme, including the area of fisheries.

Ireland endorses the key underlying principles and objectives involved in international trade generally which were reaffirmed in Doha. These include, in particular, the major role for international trade in the promotion of economic development, the alleviation of poverty and in addressing the vulnerabilities which the least developed countries face in the increasingly global economy.

Fish and fish products fall into the category of non-agricultural products. The Doha declaration commits the parties to begin negotiations on market access for these products. I understand that product coverage is to be comprehensive and withouta priori exclusions. Clearly, there will be variations and different circumstances applying to different products bid overall. It has been agreed that the negotiations for all non-agricultural products should aim to reduce or, as appropriate, eliminate tariffs, in particular on products of export interest to developing countries. It is envisaged that the negotiations will also take fully into account the special needs and interests of developing and least-developed countries.

It is premature to predict how the negotiations with developing and least developed countries will evolve but Ireland is positively disposed to trade liberalisation with these countries and we will pursue this agenda in all appropriate fora. It is the case of course that the market for fish and fish products is organised on an EU-wide basis and any changes will be considered in an EU context and not solely from a national perspective.

The development classification of countries is undertaken periodically by the United Nations. The WTO uses the UN classification system and it would be inappropriate for me to comment or adjudicate on the classifications. I am forwarding a copy of the current UN classification list to the Deputy for her information.