‘No prospect of trade deal in 2004’
He told a meeting of the British Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body at Inchydoney, County Cork, he was disappointed with the breakdown of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun last September.
Contrary to some reports, the EU was not responsible for the breakdown nor, indeed, were the negotiations on agriculture the stumbling block.
Rather it was due to the cumbersome structure and decision-making procedures of the WTO and the complexity of the issues involved.
Mr Walsh said the EU participated in the negotiations in a constructive manner and would continue to do so. The negotiations got underway again at the end of March and there is renewed impetus to reach agreement on a framework agreement for the next round by the end of the summer. This would represent a significant step forward.
“The reality is that the US election and the appointment of a new European Commission later this year will intervene and there is no prospect of a new agreement being finalised this year,” he said.
As EU Farm Council president, he said he will do what he can to facilitate progress.
However, there must be a fair and balanced agreement insofar as agriculture is concerned.
“I, certainly, am not prepared to accept a new agreement which would be so damaging to the prospects of European and Irish farmers that it would necessitate further reform of the CAP,” he said.
