World trade deal can be vetoed

AS a member of the steering committee in the European Parliament that deals with WTO issues, I can assure readers that each EU member state can exercise a veto in the case of a world trade agreement.

The reason for this position is that if there is a world trade deal over the next three to five years, it would cover policy areas that would require the unanimous agreement of all 27 EU member states, including issues such as intellectual property rights and transport services.

While agreement for a world trade deal is very remote and highly unlikely, it is worth emphasising that any country within the EU can veto a final world trade deal if it is unacceptable to a particular country.

Nothing in the Lisbon Treaty changes this well-established legal position that each country retains a veto over a global trade agreement.

The only new change brought about in this area under this new EU treaty is that the European Parliament has the power to approve or to reject a world trade agreement as well. This is not only my view. This position has been confirmed to me by leading members of the trade directorate of the European Commission who are centrally involved in the WTO negotiations.

Our farmers should remember that Ireland is not on its own in criticising the WTO negotiating strategy of Peter Mandelson in this Doha round.

There are at least 14 other countries in the EU opposed to Mandelson, including the French government which is a key ally of Ireland on agricultural and trading issues in Europe.

The interests of Irish agriculture, rural communities and the Irish food sector in general will be very badly served indeed if there is a no vote against the Lisbon Treaty.

Ireland would simply lose political influence and political allies in Europe when dealing with issues of key concern to our farmers.

Seán Ó Neachtain MEP

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