Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)

In the interest of farmers nationwide, the Government needs to show it is willing to defeat the current WTO proposals. A major diplomatic and political project must be re-energised to protect the CAP and Irish agricultural interests. There is no doubt that the WTO agreement may put numerous farmers out of business and have a serious impact on European consumers.

A large number of food scares have been associated with non-EU produced food products and additives. Any future agreement in the WTO must be the right one and must ensure that food safety and security, animal welfare and human interests are paramount. Food security is a high priority, but I wonder whether it is one of Commissioner Mandelson's main concerns. It should be, given that the world's poorest countries are suffering from increases in international cereal prices, oil prices and freight charges.

The most important thing for us is to ensure we get a balanced outcome from the negotiations, one that does not jeopardise Irish or European agriculture. It has been estimated by the IFA that the financial consequences to the Irish economy could be at least €4 billion per annum. This dire financial situation would, undoubtedly, have knock-on effects for those living in north Tipperary. This is unacceptable in the post-Celtic tiger era, when all people's pockets are pinched as inflation rises. The IFA's estimation of the economic impact is extremely worrying. it notes that we could have 50,000 farmers out of business and 50,000 jobs lost in manufacturing and services. Such statistics should be considered, as their effects could be detrimental to the well-being of the rural community. We thought the closure of the sugar factory in Carlow was a blow to local communities, but the WTO proposals will have much more serious consequences.

There is significant concern among the farming representatives of the agriculture industry. I wonder, along with party colleagues, how the Government can make a decision on the issue when it was revealed recently in reply to a Dáil question that the Department has no definite figures on the impact and the proposals. There are thousands of farmers protesting outside the Dáil today and, as their banner states, "No way, José".

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