Taoiseach Assures ICMSA That Government Will Not Accept WTO Deal That is Unbalanced and Undermines Farmers’ Interests
Taoiseach Assures ICMSA That Government Will Not Accept WTO Deal That is Unbalanced and Undermines Farmers’ Interests
Before canvassing for a Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty Referendum today (Sunday 1st June, 2008), the Taoiseach Mr Brian Cowen TD, held a meeting with representatives of the ICMSA. In their meeting, the Taoiseach again emphasised that the imbalance in the current World Trade Organisation (WTO) proposals makes them unacceptable to Ireland and others.
The Taoiseach said that Micheál Martin, TD, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, had strongly expressed the Irish Government’s concerns in relation to the current WTO proposals at the most recent EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting, and Brendan Smith TD, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, had also done so at the Council of Agriculture Ministers.
In these circumstances, and in the light of the stance adopted by the US and others, the Taoiseach said that the prospect of a WTO Ministerial meeting being held at this time was uncertain, and the prospect of agreement was unlikely.
The Taoiseach assured ICMSA President, Jackie Cahill, that the Government’s position is that for any WTO agreement to be acceptable to Ireland it must be balanced and not undermine our agricultural interests.
Mr. Cowen reaffirmed that unanimity – and therefore Ireland’s consent – is required for EU approval of the outcome of the current WTO negotiations and so Ireland retains capacity to block EU agreement to any unacceptable deal emerging. The Lisbon Treaty would not change these arrangements or the existence of the veto.
The Taoiseach stated that ratification by Ireland of the Lisbon Treaty is essential to provide the most favourable basis to negotiate and defend Ireland ’s agricultural interests at EU level, not only on WTO but also on the Health Check and future funding of the CAP beyond 2013.
Ends.
1st June 2008