MINISTER FOR Agriculture Brendan Smith has warned that "we should not rush our fences" as the Opposition renewed calls for the Government to use its power of veto on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agriculture talks.
Confirming that the Government had a power of veto, the Minister insisted "we are not at that stage". Many aspects of the talks were still outstanding and Ireland "plays a leading role in the group of 14-plus like-minded member states that have come together to express concerns at the direction of the WTO agriculture negotiations". The important point "is to continue to fight strongly for a balanced deal that does not sacrifice agriculture".
Fine Gael agriculture spokesman Michael Creed hit out at the "continuing clap-trap regarding the need for a balanced deal".
Farmers wanted to know "almost exclusively now in the context of the Lisbon Treaty" if the veto was available and if the Government would use it if the final deal presented by EU external trade commissioner Peter Mandelson involved tariff cuts of up to 70 per cent in beef and other sectors.
Mr Smith said: "We have major concerns about where we are in these negotiations. Some of the proposals that originated from Geneva would have serious consequences for EU agriculture. For Ireland the consequences of a bad deal would be particularly severe for the beef industry but other sectors, such as dairy, sheepmeat and pigmeat, will feel the impact also. That is the reason we are so determined to fight this measure."
