Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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209. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to monitor the agricultural elements of the EU-Canada trade deal that is currently being negotiated; if officials from his Department are currently involved in the discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34070/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I and my Department have been very proactive in presenting Ireland’s offensive and defensive interests in the agriculture elements of the EU/Canada (CETA) negotiations and in monitoring the progress of the negotiations in relation to agriculture. My officials have had several meetings with the Commission, including a meeting with the Director General for DG Trade, and have also written to both the Director Generals of DG Agri and DG Trade. I have written to both Commissioners Ciolos and de Gucht in relation to Ireland’s defensive and offensive concerns. I raised this issue in the Agriculture Council in January this year with Commissioner Ciolos. Furthermore, the Taoiseach also raised our concerns over Beef market access with President Barroso when he visited Ireland in January. Minister Bruton, who leads on our trade negotiations, has also raised our concerns in relation to the agriculture sector with Commissioner de Gucht.

As the Deputy may be aware, the EU Commission and DG Trade in particular have competence in trade negotiations and take the lead role in these negotiations on behalf of member states which are not present at the actual negotiations. The negotiations cover all areas, including non agriculture market access, services, procurement, intellectual property, etc. These negotiations are ongoing and the full details of the negotiations will not be available until final agreement has been reached. Within these negotiations, Ireland’s has sought an agreement that is comprehensive and balanced and one that delivers real trade and economic potential for our economy and the EU.