Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Commissioner Mandelson has stated, following the special meeting attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, that he would stick to the mandate of 2003. The issue was that he should not go outside that mandate. If we gave away too much, it would help Brazil particularly, and other countries. While we want a liberated trade agreement that helps trade all over the world and deals with tariffs and exports, we do not want one that damages European farming or the Irish position and what was negotiated in the last round of the 2003 agreement.

We are not opposed to changes in the food regime. Part of our negotiating position for several years has been that we help developing countries, particularly the least developed countries. We have been supportive of allowing imports from developing countries into Europe. Europe now has the best record in the world of giving an opportunity to developing countries. This campaign has been fought by NGOs for some years and we have supported it. These imports must live up to the quality standards of the EU. An important point about the CAP, which is not always understood by some of the biggest countries in Europe, is that it provides us with the advantage of good food arrangements, good hygiene standards and good quality. I agree that is hugely important. We have argued this point throughout the discussions.

On domestic supports, the European Union has carried out a radical reform of CAP by decoupling direct payments. That is the position we continue to outline in the talks. We have outlined a strong position, but we are in a minority on that position. We will continue to outline it. It is put forward by some that to be pro agriculture is anti trade or business, and Deputy Kenny raised this issue. We want a balanced agreement. Irish agriculture has gone through three rounds of reforms in the past 15 years and we have given quite a deal in that time. We should not have to give more on the basis of an arrangement where others might give something but have not got agreement for it. I, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for trade, Deputy Michael Ahern, have been involved in numerous discussions. It is our view that we should not go outside our mandate and we will continue to hold that position in the weeks ahead.

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