Hope on the horizon for WTO agriculture talks

DIFFERENCES in the critical agricultural round of the world trade negotiations have narrowed ahead of the EU-US summit at Dromoland Castle in Co Clare on June 25.

But it is still believed there will be no final overall WTO agreement ahead of the US presidential election and the appointment of a new EU Commission later in the year. However, the prospects for agreement are expected to be discussed at the Dromoland summit where President George W Bush and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will head the US and EU delegations.

EU Farm Commissioner Dr Franz Fischler struck an upbeat note in Winnipeg, Canada, yesterday when he suggested a breakthrough is possible in July. He said the EU is ready to do its part to make it happen and it must put its export subsides on the table.