Smith voices WTO concern

THE new Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith and his French counterpart, Michel Barnier, yesterday expressed serious concerns at the direction of the world trade negotiations and the impact these would have on European agriculture.

The ministers met in Dublin to discuss a range of major policy areas, including the global trade talks, the health check being conducted by the European Commission on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the sheep sector.

Minister Smith, speaking at a lunch in honour of Mr Barnier, said France and Ireland have always stood shoulder to shoulder in asserting the importance of farming and the food industry to the economy, society and physical environment of Europe, during the many debates about the CAP in the past and in current negotiations in Brussels and Geneva.

“The CAP must not be undermined in any way, either by ill-considered reform, or by an unbalanced WTO agreement. On the contrary, we must constantly seek to make the CAP more effective in supporting our farmers and food industries.

“Our efforts should focus on building a better and stronger CAP, adapted to contemporary needs, not to dismantling a policy that has proven so effective,” he said.

Referring to the Lisbon treaty referendum, Minister Smith said the benefits of EU membership to every aspect of Irish life are immense. Agriculture has been among the principal beneficiaries.

“Today we have free access to half-a-billion consumers across Europe, providing huge potential to every Irish farmer and food company. The European taxpayer has strongly supported the sector also, with payments amounting to over 41 billion to date.

“I believe that a positive vote in the referendum on the treaty will send a clear signal that Ireland is determined to maintain its place at the centre of EU decision-making,” he said.

Minister Barnier, a former European Commissioner, was in Dublin as part of France’s preparations for the EU presidency which it will assume on July 1, and also to celebrate Europe Day.

IFA president Padraig Walshe later welcomed the strong position adopted by Mr Barnier: “The French Government has clearly set out its bottom line and will veto the Mandelson WTO deal in its present form.”