Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2013
23. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the possible effects on Irish agriculture of the free trade agreement with Canada; the effect a free trade with the USA would have and the possible effects of a Mercosur trade deal; the steps he has taken to protect Irelands agricultural and food industries in these negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48242/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 carcase 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.
Clearly I would have preferred if these quotas were smaller. However, they were granted against the background of significantly higher demands from Canada for access to the EU beef and pigmeat markets. They also need to be seen against the concessions made by Canada on beef, sheepmeat and, most important, dairy. EU beef and sheepmeat market access to Canada is to be fully liberalised at zero duty dates and I have received undertakings from the EU Commission that the current BSE related restrictions will be lifted before the agreement is finalised. As to the dairy sector, substantial concessions have been granted by Canada on infant formula, milk protein concentrate and cheese. There is complete liberalisation of tariffs on milk protein concentrate and infant formula plus additional new cheese quotas for the EU in excess of 17,000 tonnes.
Moving on to the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the opening of trade negotiations with the United States provides significant opportunities for the Irish agri-food sector to increase their access to the US market. There are also advantages to be gained in terms of possible reductions in tariffs on the products we import. The negotiations will also facilitate the elimination of a series of regulatory barriers and irritants to current trade. Of course we have defensive issues also, for example, in relation to beef market access. However, we are at a very early stage in these negotiations and it is not possible to estimate in detail the impact on Ireland until there is greater clarity about any exchange of offers.
As to the negotiations between the EU and MERCOSUR, there was a commitment earlier this year that both sides would exchange market access offers on goods, services and investment and government procurement by no later than the last quarter of 2013. However, questions are now arising about the change in composition of the MERCOSUR group and its ability to put an offer on the table at this time. Access to the EU market for beef is the key contentious issue for Ireland in the negotiation of the EU-MERCOSUR FTA. I and my officials have been very active in highlighting our concerns to the Commission, submitting a number of technical papers to the Commission outlining mitigating measures to address our concerns.
