New round of global trade talks kicks off in Germany

THE EU, the US, India and Brazil will meet for five days in Germany from Tuesday, in a last-gasp attempt at a breakthrough in World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks launched more than five years ago.

Negotiations aimed to steady the global economy after the 2001 attacks on the US, and help developing countries trade their way out of poverty, but have floundered over how to lower barriers to commerce, especially in farm and industrial goods. Without a breakthrough soon, the talks could be put on hold for several more years.

Irish farmers fear a world trade agreement would reduce Ireland’s agricultural output by 27%, and cut national farm income by 36%.