Coughlan warns on WTO proposals

SOME of the suggestions in new proposals aimed at brokering a final agreement on the current round of world trade talks are of serious concern, according to Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.

Ms Coughlan said European and Irish agriculture must not be sacrificed in any final WTO deal and clarification was needed on the paper issued by WTO agriculture negotiating committee chairman Crawford Falconer.

She has a number of concerns including domestic support, where reductions of up to 85% were being mooted.