Coughlan criticises new EC position

REPORTED comments by Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson that the European Union is willing to give more ground over farm tariff cuts in the resuming world trade talks were sharply criticised by Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan in Brussels yesterday.

Mr Mandelson, speaking on the fringes of the annual World Economic Forum gathering in Davos, Switzerland, at the weekend, was quoted as saying the EU is ready to add substantially to the 39% of cuts in agricultural tariffs that it offered a year ago.

“We are ready to add more than 10% and get within close reach of the average farm tariff cut demanded by G20 developing countries.

“We are ready to do this in a way that demonstrably gives new market access to all exporters and all products. No loopholes,” he said, according to media reports.

Ms Coughlan, speaking in Irish at the EU Council of Ministers meeting, said she was deeply concerned by the reports of Mr Mandelson’s comments in relation to market access.

“The impression has been created in the technical discussions with the US that the EU is prepared to improve its offer over and above the agreed negotiating position of October 2005.

“Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel has already outlined the devastating consequences of adopting the G20 position and I am alarmed that the Commission seems to be indicating a willingness to discuss such an outcome,” she said.

Ms Coughlan said there is no evidence to indicate that there has been any concession by the negotiating partners that would justify the further concession by the EU in agriculture, which, in her view, exceeds the mandate.

She said the EU has already made significant contributions towards achieving progress in the negotiations.

“We have undertaken a fundamental reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in order to reduce trade-distorting subsidies in preparation for the negotiations.

“In addition, the EU has offered to make substantial reductions in import tariffs, to make further cuts in its domestic support and to eliminate export subsidies. We have made generous offers to meet the concerns of developing countries.

“The EU should not make further concessions on agriculture going beyond its offer made in October 2005 and should not engage in discussions at this stage which suggest that the EU is prepared to consider such concessions,” she said.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association president Malcolm Thompson said Mr Mandelson was exceeding his mandate by the cuts he had outlined.

“We need guarantees now that Irish beef and lamb are categorised as sensitive products before any further negotiations take place,” he said.