Vol. 572 No. 2
99 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the priorities of his Department in respect of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union in 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the interest being generated by these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22687/03]
The main agricultural items which I expect may arise during Ireland's Presidency of the EU are as follows: reforms of the common organisations of the markets for sugar, olive oil, cotton, tobacco and hops; on-going review of developments in the negotiation of the current WTO round of trade negotiations; a number of legislative proposals on food safety arising from the Commission's White Paper on Food Safety; a legislative proposal on the transport of animals; and an action plan for organic farming.
The actual programme of work during the Irish Presidency will depend on the extent to which the existing Italian Presidency concludes on items already before the Council and on the presentation of new proposals to the Council by the Commission.
I am aware of the general public interest in Ireland's Presidency and of the particular interest in the issues which will be dealt with by the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers. I am committed to ensuring that Ireland will run an effective and successful Presidency.
