Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has satisfied herself that the agri-sector is capable of meeting the increased challenges on the world markets with particular reference to the reduction in subsidies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17626/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The framework agreement for the next WTO round, which was concluded in Geneva in August 2004, commits member countries to agree detailed rules, including an end date, for the parallel elimination of all forms of export subsides and for the introduction of disciplines on all export measures with equivalent effect. That agreement covers export refunds, export credits, the trade distorting practices of state trading enterprises, and food aid not in conformity with disciplines to be introduced.

The detailed implementation of that framework is the subject of ongoing negotiation at technical and political level and is likely to conclude at the WTO ministerial conference in Hong Kong in December 2005. My objective in the negotiations is to ensure that Ireland remains competitive on world markets, and I am satisfied that the framework agreement represents satisfactory progress from our point of view. My aim is to ensure the parallel phasing out of all forms of export subsidies, as provided for in the framework agreement, and that the phasing out period be as long as possible.