Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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19. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in the course of his discussions with EU colleagues, the unified position has been adopted in the context of any trade discussions between the EU and the US with a view to ensuring a stable Irish and European agri-food sector and with particular reference to the need to ensure security of supply throughout Europe while at the same time meet the requirements of producers and consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35155/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I would start by saying that Ireland is very supportive of an EU/US trade deal. An agreement between the world’s two major trading blocs has the potential to increase growth and grow jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

This view is shared among my colleagues in the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers. Moreover, we also share a common understanding on the need to ensure a stable EU agri-food sector, that provides jobs and growth, contributes to food security, maintains viable rural communities and provides EU consumers with high-quality and safe food produced in an environmentally sustainable manner. These principles are enshrined in the reformed Common Agricultural Policy agreed last year under the Irish Presidency.

The EU Council of Agriculture Ministers has held regular debates on the proposed Free Trade Agreement with the United States and will continue to feed into the negotiating process as discussions continue. For my part, I will continue to use my influence with my Member State colleagues and with the Commission and Parliament to ensure that the eventual agreement with the United States is good for Ireland and good for Europe.

As to specific Irish interests, in the agri-food sector we have strong offensive interests, both in terms of market access and in eliminating some of the irritants that hinder trade. We are seeking substantial market access for our dairy products and in the prepared foods area. We also want to see action to address the question of Grade A equivalence for dairy and the licensing system that applies to dairy imports into the US.

Of course we have sensitivities as well. One of these is our beef sector. While we see some opportunities for establishing a niche market in the US for Irish beef, we have concerns regarding the prospect of increased beef imports into the EU. I have raised these concerns on a number of occasions with the EU Commission. I have proposed that Ireland’s sensitivities are reflected in the size and composition of any quota offered to the US. I have argued that the size of the quota should not exceed European market absorption capacity, which is substantially reduced according to the latest forecasts. I have also proposed that the quota should be designed – via end use conditions – to ensure that imports are not all concentrated on high value cuts and I have argued that an in-quota tariff rate should continue to apply to imports within the quota.