This article is from page 36 of the 2008-06-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
THE Government has serious con- cerns about the latest proposals ta- bled last week at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations, according to Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Tony Killeen.
The Clare TD made the comments after the Minister for Foreign Af- fairs, Micheal Martin attended his first EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
Speaking following the meeting, Minister Martin said that he had grave concerns about the latest WTO
papers on agriculture and non-agri- cultural market access.
‘The risk of serious damage being caused to European agriculture from an unsatisfactory WTO deal must be of grave concern to everyone in Europe, producers and consumers alike,” said Minister Killeen.
“This is particularly the case at a time when food security is looming as, potentially, a major issue for the jaUinet none
“After his first meeting with other European foreign ministers, Minis- ter Martin said that he had serious concerns that new market realities and emerging food security issues
are being ignored in the rush towards an early deal.
‘He made it known that Ireland has profound reservations about the lat- est WTO papers on agriculture and non-agricultural market access. He also agreed with others present who questioned whether the objective grounds currently exist for an early WTO ministerial meeting.
“Minister Martin made it very clear that the obvious imbalance in the present set of proposals makes them unacceptable to Ireland and to others.”
“If it is to be acceptable, a WTO agreement must not undermine Eu-
ropean agriculture. A WTO deal must deliver real benefits to Europe and to developing countries.”
“Ireland wants a WTO agreement as much as any other member state but it must be fair and balanced in re- spect of what the EU is being asked to concede and what it is receiving in return.
“Minister Martin and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, are determined to continue working with other mem- ber states so as to ensure that any outcome to these negotiations will not result in our key interests being sacrificed.”