Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will take a stronger line with Mr. Peter Mandelson regarding the World Trade Organisation talks in view of the effect on Irish farming of his proposals; and if she will use her veto in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11313/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 629: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the possible effects for dairy and sheep farmers of the Mandelson tariff cuts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11315/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 627 and 629 together.

It is no secret that I am dissatisfied with the current direction of the WTO negotiations. I have consistently expressed concern about the potential impact on Irish and EU agriculture of various proposals being put forward in these discussions. I, and my ministerial colleagues, have spoken frequently and strongly on this issue in every available forum, and have sought, and received, support from other EU Governments.

On the specific question of tariff cuts in the dairy and sheepmeat sectors, I have already said to this House that I have serious concerns about the range of tariff cuts proposed for agricultural products that are contained in the latest draft text from the Chair of the WTO Negotiating Committee on Agriculture. Combined with associated proposals on the treatment of sensitive products and related tariff quota expansion, I believe these proposals would have a damaging impact on EU and Irish agriculture. I have articulated these concerns clearly to the Commission and to other Members States as well as in this House.

It is crucial, in my view, that the European agrifood sector is not sacrificed for the sake of a deal. This is the position consistently taken by the Government and which has been and will continue to be strongly reflected at a variety of EU and WTO meetings. I, and my colleagues in Government, have consistently pressed the Commission to strive for a balanced agreement that is not at the expense of EU and Irish agriculture. The Government's intention is to continue this process.

Intensive discussions are still taking place in Geneva on the most recent agriculture and non-agricultural texts and there are still many technical and political issues to be resolved, not alone on the agriculture dossier, but on the related issues of non-agricultural market access, services, rules and trade facilitation. In short, at this point in time, we can only speculate as to the content of a final WTO deal, or indeed, whether such a deal will be concluded. It would therefore be inappropriate, and unwise from a negotiating standpoint, to indicate what position the Irish Government will take on any possible final deal, the terms of which we do not yet know.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 628: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the possible effect on the suckler cow herd here of the concessions to Brazilians and other South Americans in the proposals by Mr. Peter Mandelson; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11314/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I presume the Deputy is referring to the current round of WTO negotiations and in particular to the discussions on liberalization of trade under the market access pillar of the negotiations. There is no doubt that the outcome of these negotiations will represent significant challenges for EU and Irish agriculture.

I have consistently expressed concern about the potential impact on Irish and EU agriculture of various proposals being put forward in these discussions. I, and my ministerial colleagues, have spoken frequently and strongly on this issue in every available forum, and have sought, and received, support from other EU Governments.

On the specific question of concessions which will effect the beef sector, I have already said to this House that I have serious concerns about the range of tariff cuts proposed in the latest draft text from the Chair of the WTO Negotiating Committee on Agriculture. Combined with associated proposals on the treatment of sensitive products and related tariff quota expansion, I believe these proposals would have a damaging impact on EU and Irish agriculture in particular for the beef sector. I have articulated and will continue to articulate these concerns clearly at every opportunity.

It is crucial, in my view, that the European agrifood sector is not sacrificed for the sake of a deal. This is the position consistently taken by the Government and which has been and will continue to be strongly reflected at a variety of EU and WTO meetings. I, and my colleagues in Government, have consistently pressed the Commission to strive for a balanced agreement that is not at the expense of EU and Irish agriculture. The Government's intention is to continue this process.