Menu
29/04/2011
Initial Reports Of EU Impact 'Confirms Worst Fears', Says Coveney
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has described the initial presentation from the EU Commission of its impact assessment of a Free Trade Agreement with the capital MERCOSUR group of South American countries as “Quite shocking”.
He added: “It confirms the point I have been making for the past number of weeks that a Mercosur deal would damage EU and Irish agriculture. Ireland cannot allow the Irish and European agri-food sectors to be sacrificed to get a trade agreement.”
The presentation was made at a meeting of technical experts in Brussels ahead of the full release of the impact assessment in the coming weeks. Minister Coveney said: “Though the initial analysis shows an overall benefit to the EU from such a deal, the results across all agriculture sectors are negative and the implications for the beef sector and for Ireland are particularly damaging.”
The Minister said that he wanted the Commission to produce the full impact assessment as a matter of urgency and said he looked forward to receiving the full report and analysis and having it debated thoroughly and comprehensively within the EU Agriculture Council and directly with the Commission.
Minister Coveney added: “I will counsel the Commission against exchanging market access offers until there is some movement in the negotiations on the text and until there is a full discussion of the assessment by Member States at a Council meeting.”
The Minister confirmed that he was taking the opportunity of a visit to Brussels next week to meet Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn and he would convey his concerns directly to her.
The Minister concluded: “The European Council has acknowledged the importance of the EU agriculture sector as a key driver for the success of the EU 2020 strategy and we must ensure that our policies on the CAP, on Trade and on the future strategy for growth in the EU are consistent and coherent with one another. The ambitious targets we have set ourselves to grow food exports from €8 billion in 2010 to €12 billion in 2020 are an essential growth driver across the economy. An agreement with Mercosur to allow large quantities of South American food into the EU, replacing Irish exports is something I cannot support in the context of the importance to the agri- food sector to our national recovery.”
(BMcN)
He added: “It confirms the point I have been making for the past number of weeks that a Mercosur deal would damage EU and Irish agriculture. Ireland cannot allow the Irish and European agri-food sectors to be sacrificed to get a trade agreement.”
The presentation was made at a meeting of technical experts in Brussels ahead of the full release of the impact assessment in the coming weeks. Minister Coveney said: “Though the initial analysis shows an overall benefit to the EU from such a deal, the results across all agriculture sectors are negative and the implications for the beef sector and for Ireland are particularly damaging.”
The Minister said that he wanted the Commission to produce the full impact assessment as a matter of urgency and said he looked forward to receiving the full report and analysis and having it debated thoroughly and comprehensively within the EU Agriculture Council and directly with the Commission.
Minister Coveney added: “I will counsel the Commission against exchanging market access offers until there is some movement in the negotiations on the text and until there is a full discussion of the assessment by Member States at a Council meeting.”
The Minister confirmed that he was taking the opportunity of a visit to Brussels next week to meet Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn and he would convey his concerns directly to her.
The Minister concluded: “The European Council has acknowledged the importance of the EU agriculture sector as a key driver for the success of the EU 2020 strategy and we must ensure that our policies on the CAP, on Trade and on the future strategy for growth in the EU are consistent and coherent with one another. The ambitious targets we have set ourselves to grow food exports from €8 billion in 2010 to €12 billion in 2020 are an essential growth driver across the economy. An agreement with Mercosur to allow large quantities of South American food into the EU, replacing Irish exports is something I cannot support in the context of the importance to the agri- food sector to our national recovery.”
(BMcN)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 May 2013
Submissions Invited On The Microchipping Of Dogs
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD today announced that his Department is inviting submissions from interested or knowledgeable parties on the microchipping of dogs.
Submissions Invited On The Microchipping Of Dogs
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD today announced that his Department is inviting submissions from interested or knowledgeable parties on the microchipping of dogs.
07 April 2016
Coveney Reveals GLAS Farms Building Conservation Scheme
A new grant-aid scheme to conserve traditional buildings on GLAS farms has been announced by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney. GLAS is a new new agri-environment scheme for Irish farmers, to which nearly 40,000 have already signed-up for.
Coveney Reveals GLAS Farms Building Conservation Scheme
A new grant-aid scheme to conserve traditional buildings on GLAS farms has been announced by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney. GLAS is a new new agri-environment scheme for Irish farmers, to which nearly 40,000 have already signed-up for.
16 May 2016
New Minister For Agriculture Meets With EU Commissioner For Agriculture
The new Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has met with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, for the first time since the Minister's appointment. The Minister and Commissioner took the opportunity to informally review current agriculture issues.
New Minister For Agriculture Meets With EU Commissioner For Agriculture
The new Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has met with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, for the first time since the Minister's appointment. The Minister and Commissioner took the opportunity to informally review current agriculture issues.
08 April 2016
Ferris Calls On Agriculture Minister To 'Do His Job' For Beef Farmers
Sinn Féin's Martin Ferris has hit out at Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney for failing to "stand up" for Irish beef farmers.
Ferris Calls On Agriculture Minister To 'Do His Job' For Beef Farmers
Sinn Féin's Martin Ferris has hit out at Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney for failing to "stand up" for Irish beef farmers.
12 February 2013
Minister For Agriculture Calls EU Meeting Over Horse Meat Scandal
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has called on officials from EU countries affected by the ongoing horse meat scandal to attend a meeting on Wednesday in Brussels to discuss “whatever steps may be necessary at EU level to comprehensively address this matter”. Coveney said the European Commission needs to be involved to find a solution.
Minister For Agriculture Calls EU Meeting Over Horse Meat Scandal
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has called on officials from EU countries affected by the ongoing horse meat scandal to attend a meeting on Wednesday in Brussels to discuss “whatever steps may be necessary at EU level to comprehensively address this matter”. Coveney said the European Commission needs to be involved to find a solution.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
