Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he is taking to ensure a fair deal for Irish farmers at the WTO talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19593/08]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the communications or meetings he has had with the EU Trade Commissioner; his future plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19587/08]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his stance on the World Trade Organisation proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19622/08]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the consequences for the beef industry here of the negotiations surrounding sensitive product status in the context of the World Trade Organisation; if this option is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19607/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 133, 135 and 138 together.

A revised negotiating text on agriculture was issued yesterday evening and a text on non-agricultural market access earlier today. These texts are being issued with a view to facilitating a final WTO agreement by the end of 2008. It is by no means clear whether such an agreement will be reached this year. The range of issues outstanding across the broad spectrum of the negotiations and the US political situation are among the factors that make it uncertain whether an agreement can be secured in the coming period. Already there is slippage in the negotiating timetable. A Ministerial meeting, anticipated to take place on 19 May, has been deferred and the latest indications are that it will not now take place until the end of June or even early July.

Against this background, there is no doubt that these WTO negotiations represent a significant challenge for EU and Irish agriculture. I and my Government colleagues are seeking a balanced and fair outcome across all of the various pillars of the negotiations. I am very concerned about some of the proposals being made in the agriculture negotiations and with the lack of balance in the overall process. It is not acceptable that the current negotiations are focused on agriculture while other negotiating areas are not making progress.

The Irish Government has and will continue to take every opportunity to express our concerns in the strongest terms in the various EU and WTO meetings dealing with these negotiations. I recently met my French counterpart in Dublin, and the current state of play and imbalance in these WTO negotiations were high on the agenda of this meeting. I can report that France and Ireland share the same concerns on the direction of these negotiations and will continue to insist that the Commission does not accept a deal which undermines EU agricultural production.

The Commission, including Commissioner Mandelson and his officials, are well aware of Ireland's views on the matter. These views have been articulated clearly and consistently at all available forums over the last several years, including bilateral meetings, meetings of the Article 133 Committee, the Agriculture Council and the General Affairs Council. My colleague and predecessor, the Tánaiste, met the Commissioner on 29 April last and set out in no uncertain terms the concerns of the Irish Government in regard to the current situation. As the negotiations progress I will continue to impress on the Commission that Ireland will not accept an unbalanced agreement which does not provide real benefits to Ireland and the EU.

At yesterday's Agriculture Council of Ministers meeting I met the Agriculture Commissioner, Mrs. Fischer Boel and I reiterated and highlighted Ireland's concerns to the Commission and to other Member States, insisting that any WTO agreement must not place a disproportionate burden on EU and Irish agriculture. I will also continue to ensure that Ireland plays a leading role in the Group of 14+ like-minded Member States who have come together to express concerns in relation to the direction of the WTO agriculture negotiations. I will continue to work closely with like-minded Ministers in other Member States to seek support for my position. I am travelling to Slovenia next week where I will have bilateral discussions on the WTO with my colleagues in this group. At official level, my Department, and other Departments involved, have and will continue to work assiduously in the various technical meetings to ensure Ireland's interests are best protected. In summary, I will continue to pursue an outcome which does not undermine the 2003 reforms of the CAP and ensures that Irish and EU agriculture can compete on world markets.

As to the question of sensitive product status for the beef sector, the detailed negotiations regarding the treatment of sensitive products are not yet finalised. Under the proposals currently on the table, designation of beef as a sensitive product would reduce the proposed tariff cut of between 66 and 73% by two-thirds to a figure of approximately 23%. In turn, the EU would be expected to open an additional import quota for beef of some 290,000 tonnes. Although final decisions surrounding the designation of products as sensitive will not be taken until the final details of the treatment of such products is known, there is no doubt in my mind that the intention is that beef will feature among the products declared sensitive by the EU.

A major concern, even with sensitive product status, is that imports would be concentrated on the high value "steak" cuts. We have emphasised the nature of this specific problem repeatedly to the Commission over the course of the negotiations. Overall, I continue to seek an outcome which will provide the maximum possible protection to the beef sector.