Minister Killeen Says WTO Agreement Must Not Undermine Agricultural Interests

The Clare T.D. made the comments after the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin TD attended his first EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels. Speaking following the meeting Minister Martin said that he had profound reservations about the latest WTO Papers on agriculture and non-agricultural market access.

According to Minister of State Killeen, "The risk of serious damage being caused to European agriculture from an unsatisfactory WTO Deal must be of grave concern to everyone in Europe, producers and consumers alike. This is particularly the case at a time when food security is looming as potentially a major issue for the future."

"After his first meeting with other European Foreign Ministers, Minister Martin said that he had serious concerns that new market realities and emerging food security issues are being ignored in the rush towards an early deal. He made it known that Ireland has profound reservations about the latest WTO papers on agriculture and non-agricultural market access. He also agreed with others present who questioned whether the objective grounds currently exist for an early WTO Ministerial meeting", the Junior Agriculture Minister explained.

He added, "Minister Martin made it very clear that the clear imbalance in the present set of proposals makes them unacceptable to Ireland and to others. If it is to be acceptable, a WTO agreement must not undermine European agriculture. A WTO deal must deliver real benefits to Europe and to developing countries."

"Ireland wants a WTO agreement as much as any other Members State but it must be fair and balanced in respect of what the EU is being asked to concede and what it is receiving in return. Minister Martin and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr Brendan Smith TD, are determined to continue working with other Member States so as to ensure that any outcome to these negotiations will not result in our key interests being sacrificed," Minister of State Killeen concluded.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available on request

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)