Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has studied the IFA pre-election submission; her intentions to address the issues raised therein with particular reference to the World Trade Organisation and Ireland's position as a food producing country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15779/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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While the IFA submission has been forwarded to me, it is a pre-election submission addressed to political parties.

I have consistently taken a very clear position in relation to the WTO negotiations. As an open economy which is dependent on trade, Ireland has much to gain from the conclusion of a new WTO agreement and I am committed to an ambitious and balanced outcome to the current negotiations. However, I am determined that agriculture will not carry a disproportionate burden in achieving progress and that it will not be sacrificed for the sake of an overall agreement. My over-riding objective has been to ensure that, in accordance with the agreed EU negotiating mandate, a new WTO agreement will not necessitate further reform of the CAP. In this context, I will continue, as I have done in the past, to avail of every opportunity to emphasise the absolute necessity that the Commission remains within the terms of the negotiating mandate. I will also continue to work closely with like-minded Ministers in other Member States to seek support for my position.