WTO agriculture talks will have no immediate impact

THE outcome of the WTO talks on agriculture in Geneva at the end of July is a framework agreement and will have no immediate impact on world agri-markets, the Agricultural Science Association annual conference was told in Waterford yesterday.

Tim Groser, chairman of the WTO agriculture negotiating committee, said the agri agreement must be seen as part of a broader process. A complete world trade agreement will be needed before changes are implemented.

Mr Groser had talks in Dublin the previous day with Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh and John Malone, secretary-general, Department of Agriculture and Food, on how to move on to the next phase.