Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The framework agreement for the current WTO round which was concluded in Geneva in August 2004 commits member countries, including the EU, to negotiate detailed rules, including an end-date for the parallel elimination of all forms of export subsidies and for the introduction of disciplines on export measures with equivalent effect. The framework agreement covers export refunds, export credits, the trade-distorting practices of state trading enterprises and food aid practices which are not in conformity with disciplines to be introduced.

At the WTO Hong Kong ministerial conference in December 2005 agreement was reached on an end date of 2013 for all forms of export subsidy. The EU's acceptance of this end date was conditional on the application of equivalent disciplines on all forms of export subsidy. The parallel elimination of all export subsidies should ensure equal competition on the world market for all exporters.

Negotiations on the new WTO round are continuing and I am committed to ensuring full parallel elimination of all forms of export subsidy is delivered by our negotiating partners and that, in so far as EU export refunds are concerned, the most flexible phasing-out arrangements are achieved.

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The elimination of export subsidies is only one element of the current negotiations. Market access is another key element of the negotiations and, in that regard, in addition to tariff reductions and sensitive products issues, I will be seeking to ensure non-trade concerns are fully taken on board. I fully support the policy that animal products imported into the EU from third countries meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between, EU member states. I have concerns that there is not real equivalence regarding animal traceability, controls on veterinary medicines, prohibited substances and residue monitoring programmes in respect of imports from certain third countries. I have already been in contact with the Commissioner on this matter on several occasions and I will continue to use every opportunity to voice my concerns. Indeed, I will be raising this matter again at next Monday's Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels.

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