Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 November 2013
149. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he is taking to prevent the same market access concessions as were given to Canada in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement being made available to the United States during its current negotiations of a trade deal with the EU. [48558/13]
View answerUnder the EU/Canada Trade agreement initialled last month by President Barroso and the Canadian Prime Minister, Canada was awarded a tariff rate quota for beef of 50,000 tonnes carcass weight equivalent. This equates to a quota of 39,000 tonnes of boneless beef. The quota is split between fresh/chilled beef comprising 31,000 tonnes, plus the existing 4,000 tonnes quota as part of the Hormones Agreement, and frozen beef comprising 15,000 tonnes. As regards pigmeat, Canada was awarded a quota of 75,000 tonnes.
I have been in regular contact with Commissioner Ciolos concerning this agreement and I have made it clear to the Commission that it should not act as a precursor to the EU – US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. The Taoiseach has also raised this issue with President Barroso.
