World trade talks in limbo

THE world trade talks, which collapsed last year to the relief of the Irish farm and agri-food sectors, are unlikely to resume for some months and a conclusion to the negotiations that would cut agriculture subsidies and tariffs on industrial goods is not expected this year.

Negotiators failed to overcome a clash in Geneva last July between the US and India over how poor nations could raise tariffs when farm imports surge. The proposals on the table at that time were seen as a potentially devastating blow to Irish agriculture and the agri-food industry.

Pascal Lamy, who has been appointed World Trade Organisation (WTO) director-general for a second four-year term, has said that he cannot re-start a political process without the US being ready. Speaking in Washington, Mr Lamy claimed the US position “is emerging little by little” and is positive, but the process has been slow.

“There is much goodwill among negotiators in Geneva for the new US administration, but patience is not infinite,” he said.

US farm, manufacturing and services groups, have urged President Obama to refuse to re-start talks on the basis of proposed texts. Washington said it remains committed to a successful end of the round but needs a better idea of what it will “get” in exchange for what it gives up.

The position of the Irish Government was sought by Fine Gael TD Andrew Doyle in the Dáil.

He asked Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith what steps he was taking to protect the food production sector here and ensure the limitation of food imports into Ireland.

Mr Doyle also asked what priority the protection of the local food sector has in the talks and what research was being carried out to evaluate the different options being proposed and their impact on different sectors.