Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his very detailed presentation. In his introductory remarks, the Minister of State referred to the promotion of sustainable development, building a regional market among developing countries and helping to eliminate poverty. In his concluding remarks, he referred to sustainable development and a close trading and development partnership between the Caribbean and west African regions and the EU. We fully concur with these aims and recognise the potential for development for the benefit of both partners.

It is not just the text of the agreements that is critical, it is their implementation and mechanisms to review their workings as well are necessary. Flexibility is important as well in the implementation of the agreements. What safeguards are in the agreement to ensure its fair implementation to suit the needs and capabilities of both the European Union and west African countries? It was clearly outlined that the agreement will seek to facilitate EU food exports to the west African region. As eradication of global poverty is a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy, could the Minister of State confirm whether research has been conducted into the impact of the exports on the ability of local agricultural interests, both farmers and producers, to engage with their local and regional markets? It is clear to us that a worthwhile agreement should not be about displacement of local produce or industry which would in the long term continue to restrict overall growth in the local economy. We must be very cautious in that regard. I hope at the level of the Council of Ministers and at the exchange at official level with the European Commission that the agreements would be examined sector by sector to see how they are working out. Recent comments in the early part of this month by the trade Commissioner were brought to my attention. She said that the West Africa- EU economic partnership agreement, EPA, protected west African producers in the poultry sector. I take that as an example of where the very opposite is happening to what the Commissioner told the rest of the world.

Based on current trends the export of poultry products is likely to destroy livelihood opportunities not only for tens of thousands of local poultry producers but also for hundreds of thousands of cereal producers who provide the animal feed for the local poultry farmers. A few statistics were brought to my attention in regard to this sector. Between 2004 and 2014, consumption of poultry meat in sub-Saharan Africa increased by 99%. However, local production grew only 57% while imports from the EU grew 209%. By 2014, imports of poultry meat accounted for 44% of sub-Saharan African consumption compared to less than 30% in 2014. There is increased consumption but the share of the market by local producers is in decline and the European Union is displacing local producers. That is the type of issue on which we must keep a very close eye. Ongoing reviews are necessary of the mechanisms and workings of the agreement. The poultry sector is a very small one from a European Union point of view but it is a hugely important sector for so many impoverished farmers and producers in impoverished regions in the area. I could not emphasise enough the need for flexibility and for considerable oversight to ensure the spirit of the agreement is followed, with which all of us agree, in terms of trying to grow trade and improve the economic fortunes of people in less-developed areas. It is very important that the mechanisms are in place to do that.

The other issue that was brought to my attention was Article 34 of the agreement which deals with the agrifood sector and the export of food. Could the Minister of State indicate whether there is provision in the agreement for the transfer of knowledge to build up the capacity in those regions to grow their own local agricultural sector and to grow the food industry there?