James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her plans to counteract the negative impact of the World Trade Organisation proposals which would see Irish beef and lamb prices cut by 70%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13674/08]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her plans to counteract the negative impact of the proposals of the World Trade Organisation which are giving no recognition to farmers for the fact that the EU is a high cost region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13675/08]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her plans to counteract the negative impact of the proposals of the World Trade Organisation which are giving no recognition to farmers for the range of higher standards demanded from EU producers in relation to food safety and traceability, animal health and welfare and the protection of the environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13676/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 to 128, inclusive, together.

As I have stated on many occasions the current round of WTO negotiations represent a significant challenge for EU and Irish agriculture. These negotiations are ongoing and given the significant number of unresolved issues it is not possible to draw conclusions regarding the overall impacts on the different agriculture sectors until the negotiations are completed in full.

The 2003 reform of the CAP was carried out with the WTO negotiations clearly in mind. The move to non-trade distorting decoupled payments allowed the EU to make significant commitments to reducing trade-distorting supports which are linked to production and prices. This is a very significant contribution to these negotiations. As Ireland has fully decoupled the 2003 CAP Reform provides certainty in relation to levels of income support for farmers up until 2013, while freeing them to increase their income from the market by responding to consumer demands and guaranteeing a supply of safe food, produced to high animal welfare and environmental standards, at reasonable cost. This is a crucial provision which offers farmers stability at a time when markets are changing rapidly.

The Agrivision 2015 Action Plan which I published in March 2006 sets out my vision for a competitive, consumer-focused and knowledge driven agri-food sector which will contribute to a vibrant rural economy, society and environment and which exploits opportunities in non-food areas. It was drawn up in the light of recent CAP reforms and the likelihood of a more liberalised trade policy under a new WTO agreement but also against the background of other changes which will impact on the sector such as lifestyle changes, the emergence of technology and Research and Development as market drivers and structural changes in the farming and the retail sector.

I believe the measures provided for in the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan in conjunction with the provisions of the 2003 CAP reforms will facilitate the continued growth of the Irish Agri-Food sector and will serve to address the challenges posed by the WTO.

In that context, it is clear, were there to be a WTO agreement, the outcome could have a significant influence on the future of Irish agriculture. The outcome will determine the levels of protection and support that the EU may provide for the duration of the next agreement. I am continuing to seek recognition in the negotiations of the additional costs incurred by EU producers in implementing non-trade measures such as environmental, animal welfare and animal health controls. I have consistently outlined my position on non-trade concerns in the Council of Agriculture Ministers, by emphasising that the Commission must pursue recognition of these issues in the ongoing negotiations.

My overriding objective in the ongoing agriculture negotiations is to ensure that the terms of the agreement can be accommodated within the framework of the reformed CAP. This represents the limit of the EU Commission's negotiating position in these negotiations and I will continue to insist that this position is respected.