Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

13. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to protect the future of the agrifood sector here in view of planned trade agreements between the EU and US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43017/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to start by saying that I and my colleagues in Government are fully supportive of the planned trade agreement between the EU and US. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP as it is called, has the potential to increase growth and boost jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. As a small open trading economy, Ireland is well positioned to take full advantage of trade liberalisation. 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 already export over €500 million in agri-food to the US – dominated by beverages and casein. Beverages are already traded between EU and US at zero rates of duty so TTIP will not, in itself, grow this trade. However, we are seeking substantial market access for our dairy products and in the prepared foods area. We also want to see action to 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 defensive interests 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. Indeed, the most recent report of the European Parliament on the trade implications of an EU US agreement bears out our concerns in relation to the suckler cow herd in Europe. The report finds that this will be adversely affected by the trade deal. 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 that an in-quota tariff rate should continue to apply to imports within the quota.

Finally, I would like to correct some of the reports circulating that TTIP will result in the import of hormone treated meat into the EU. Just to clarify the position, a decision was taken many years ago to ban the use of hormones in animals in the EU destined for the human food chain. The ban forms part of the EU positive but precautionary principle to limit the use of medical treatments to disease prevention and cure. The US takes a different approach that allows the use of hormones in the absence of scientific evidence that they may cause harm. While the US has said that it will be seeking access for its hormone treated meat to the EU as part of the TTIP negotiations, it is impossible in the current climate to see a reversal of the EU prohibition decision.