Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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788. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will consider the passage of new trade laws requiring more stringent food safety checks in order that trade agreements such as the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, CETA, do not negatively impact consumers here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18223/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The European Union manages trade relations with countries outside the EU through its trade policy.  This means that it is the EU not individual member states that negotiate international trade agreements.  The European Commission acts as chief negotiator on behalf of the whole EU, but does so in close cooperation with the Council and European Parliament who ultimately approve any final agreement.

The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) was adopted by Council of the European Union and signed by Canada, the EU and its Member States at the EU-Canada Summit on 30 October.  On 15 February 2017, the European Parliament voted in favour of the provisional application of CETA.  Provisional application is a standard part of trade agreements and allows those parts of the agreement for which the EU has competence to come into force.  Provisional application allows businesses and consumers to enjoy the benefits and new opportunities of the agreement as soon as possible.

CETA is a new generation agreement that will remove over 99% of tariffs between the EU and Canada and will create sizeable new market access opportunities in services and investment.  It will end limitations in access to public contracts, open-up services market, and offer predictable conditions for investors. 

The agreement covers virtually every aspect of economic activity, and it is extremely important for Ireland.  It offers significant opportunities for growth in trade for with Canada.  The agreement opens up public procurement markets in the Canadian provinces giving Irish firms increased access to Canadian public sector purchasing.  Ireland also gains unlimited tariff free access for most of our important food exports.  CETA provides significant opportunities for the Irish dairy industry and has strong protections for our beef industry through restricted quotas for Canadian beef entering the EU. 

CETA will not affect EU rules on food safety or the environment.  This has also been made clear in the Joint Interpretative Instrument agreed by both Parties.  As now, Canadian products will only be able to be imported to and sold in the EU if they fully respect EU regulations. 

On 22 April 2015 the European Commission tabled internal EU legislative proposals which allow Member States to restrict or prohibit the use of GMOs in human or animal food.  Under EU rules, GMOs that have been approved for use as food, for animal feed or for sowing as crops, can already be sold in the EU.  Applications for approval are assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and then sent to EU Member States for their opinion.  So far, 70 GMOs have been authorised.  The safety assessment which EFSA carries out before any GMO is placed on the market will not change as a result of CETA. 

EU Food Safety Laws, like those relating to hormones used in animal production will not be affected by CETA, if Canadian beef has been treated with hormones, it will continue to be prohibited for sale in the EU.  CETA will not restrict either the EU or Canada from passing new laws in areas of public interest such as the environment, and health and safety.

I fully support provisional application of the Agreement.  Opening markets has the potential to keep prices down and give consumers more choice.  My Department is already working with our agencies and Business Groups to ensure that Irish firms take early advantage of the terms of the Agreement.  I will be leading a trade mission to Canada in late May to promote the opportunities provided by the Agreement.