Minister Killeen Appeals For EU Countries Not Be Pushed Into Bad WTO Deal

Minister Killeen was speaking after attending this week’s meeting of the G14+ group of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels. The G14+ group represents up to 20 like-minded Member States who have met regularly to discuss issues of concern in relation to WTO.

According to Minister of State Killeen, "This week’s meeting took place less than a week before the Ministerial meeting on WTO in Geneva. It was abundantly clear that all Member States present shared a desire to achieve a WTO deal as they all recognise the benefits of the multilateral trading system and the lift that could be given to the world economy by a successful deal. But I agree with Minister Smith when he says that any such deal must be balanced and must take account of the EU's own interests especially in agriculture."

Commenting on this week’s Council discussion on the CAP Health Check, the Junior Agriculture Minister stated, "Ireland remains opposed to the proposed increases in modulation, which run counter to the legitimate expectation of farmers, who accepted decoupling just three years ago, and who are still in the process of adapting to that fundamental change."

"I agree with Minister Smith’s call for more ambitious increases in milk quotas, well above the level proposed by the Commission. While acknowledging some of the proposals in relation to cross-compliance, I also welcome the Minister’s call for operational simplification with a view to reducing the burden of cross-compliance on farmers and on the administration", concluded Minister Killeen.

-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

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900