Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 60: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the EU-Colombia Peru Free Trade Agreement will undermine indigenous rights in Colombia and Peru, in particular those under ILO Convention 169 that require prior free and informed consent by indigenous persons. [27318/11]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 69: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the EU-Colombia Peru Free Trade Agreement will destroy the dairy industries in Peru and Colombia and threaten the livelihood of persons connected with other agricultural industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27319/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 69 together.

EU relations with Colombia and Peru are conducted in the framework of regional relations between the EU and the Andean Community, comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Negotiations commenced in 2009 on a Multiparty Free Trade Agreement between the EU and two member states of the Andean Community – Colombia and Peru.

The FTA negotiations, which were conducted by the European Commission on the basis of a mandate from the Council, concluded in March 2010 and the Agreement was initialled by the parties on 13 April 2011. It is expected that it will be signed in the first half of 2012.

The Agreement is ambitious and contains significant commitments by each party. Under the terms of the proposed deal, the EU will open up its market to exporters from Peru and Colombia by committing to an immediate liberalisation in industrial and fisheries products as well as substantial tariff concessions in agriculture. This will generate new opportunities and new market outlets for economic operators, including dairy and other farmers, at all levels in Colombia and Peru and will contribute significantly to the social and economic development of both countries.

In order for small scale producers to reap the full benefits of the agreement, its implementation must go hand in hand with the development of an integrated set of rural development programmes which comprise education, public services and infrastructure. This is the responsibility of the Andean partner countries in the first place but the EU is providing support for these measures through its co-operation programmes.

Nor is the Agreement limited to trade issues alone. It also covers other important aspects such as human rights and sustainable development. These include commitments to the implementation of key International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and respect for environmental rules. A monitoring system, which foresees the active involvement of civil society stakeholders, will ensure the effective implementation of these commitments.

The Agreement will not undermine the rights of indigenous peoples in Peru and Colombia. I am confident that the authorities in both countries will take full account of the consultation and participation provisions of ILO Convention 169 in their internal processes for approval of the Agreement. In the case of Peru, the Government launched a dialogue process in 2009 to address a number of issues relating to indigenous rights. Furthermore, the Government has committed to implement a development plan for the Amazonian populations.

The EU is supportive of national efforts to ensure effective protection for, and promotion of the rights of indigenous communities. It is also financing projects implemented by NGOs and non-state actors in the field of education, training, and sustainable management of natural resources which aim to reinforce indigenous organisations and promote their rights.