Vol. 517 No. 3
39 Mr. D. Moynihan 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. [9713/00]
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 mandate for the comprehensive round of negotiations which was to be launched by the WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle at the end of last year was adopted by the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers on 27 September 1999 and confirmed subsequently by the General Affairs Council. The mandate acknowledges that 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". In general terms, the mandate provides that: 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, 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.
