Mandelson: WTO deal on ‘knife edge’

GLOBAL trade talks are expected to resume shortly but the European Commissioner Peter Mandelson is predicting that they will end within a few months with the chances of a deal on a knife edge.

Trade officials from key countries meet next week in Davos, Switzerland, in an attempt to reanimate negotiations, with agriculture still a crucial issue.

Mr Mandelson warned that the talks may bog down for years unless the World Trade Organisation’s 150 governments clinch an accord before US President George Bush’s negotiating mandate from the US Congress expires in July.

IFA president Padraig Walshe said Europe has reformed the CAP, cut price supports and switched to decoupled payments.

But Mr Mandelson has failed to capitalise on these reforms with the other trading partners in WTO.

“The bottom line is that we cannot trust Mandelson to defend our interests in the trade negotiations.

“We are dependent on our own Government, together with about 13 other member states who continue to defend the negotiating mandate, to prevent a sell-out of our agriculture and food industry,” said Mr Walshe.

Ireland South MEP Brian Crowley also reminded Mr Mandelson that the EU must not be forced to make further concessions in its support system to Irish and European farmers as the price for resumed talks.

“The EU has made enough concessions in this regard thus far and enough is enough,” said Mr Crowley, who is president of the UEN political group in the European Parliament.