This article is from page 36 of the 2008-02-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
DARK clouds are once again begin- ning to gather over farming in Ire- land the spectre of the World Trade Organisation looming large on the KeyuyZevne
Speaking last week, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan asked that particular attention be focussed on recent WTO developments which she described as being “of great concern’ to her.
Her fears were echoed by ICSA president Malcolm Thompson who said he had “grave concern” over the WTO.
“WTO negotiators seem hell bent on getting a deal and are quite pre-
pared to throw EU agriculture to the wolves,” he said. There will be considerable difficulty 1n convinc- ing farmers that the EU is acting in farmers’ best interests, especially if Commissioner Mandelson delivers a deal which goes beyond his negotiat- ing mandate. Of even greater concern is the fact that Ireland seems to have little or no control over the negoti- ating process. Farmers are increas- ingly concerned that too much of our autonomy has been lost to European bureaucrats, and will need strong re- assurances before accepting the Ref- erendum on the Reform Treaty.
“It will not be easy to persuade farmers of the merits of greater in- stitutional efficiency in the EU deci-
sion making process if the EU insti- tutions sell out agriculture at WTO,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the ICMSA have warned of an “agriculture catastro- phe” if WTO proposals are agreed.
‘“There’s no point any more in adopting a ‘“wait-and-see’ attitude on the subject of WTO,” said ICMSA President Jackie Cahill.
“Every time the process stops or breaks-down, it simply resumes again at a starting point that is even more disadvantageous than the orig- inal point of difference. Vital Irish economic interests are in imminent danger of being sacrificed.
“Despite repeated efforts by the Irish Government – and here, we
must acknowledge the personal ef- forts of Minister Coughlan and her team – unelected EU bureaucrats are about to broker what amounts to a catastrophic sell-out at WTO.
“The time has now come for the Taoiseach to point out to the Presi- dent of the European Commission – in the strongest terms possible – that EU Commissioner Mandelson does not have a mandate for the offers he is apparently now making on behalf of the EU.”
Gr NIURSTCCM der lMersmBEseoIlMCEh Amilo push for a deal has been noticeably increased and that Commissioner Mandelson continues to offer con- cession after concession on the agri- cultural front.