Allister warns Mandelson against ego-satisfying deal at WTO

02 December 2005

Speaking today in the European Parliament, in a debate initiated on the up-coming WTO Summit by Commissioner Mandelson, DUP MEP Jim Allister returned to the theme of security of food supply within the EU.  Earlier in the week Mr Allister had pressed the same issue with UK Trade Secretary, Alan Johnston.

In the course of his remarks today the MEP said:-

"A primary duty of this EU must be to provide a secure source of food for its people.  In the rush to secure a WTO deal, I trust that basic obligation is not being jeopardised or compromised.

Last summer in the UK, at least, we saw the corrosive impact of cheap South American beef imports on our indigenous beef industry, with plummeting prices threatening the survival of many producers.  That was with tariffs as they are at present.  If tariffs are further slashed, as Commissioner Mandelson proposes, then local production will fall, national herds will disappear and we will become predominantly dependant on South America for our supply of red meat. 

What then, if pandemic disease outbreak, such as foot and mouth, already ravishing Brazil, cuts off that supply?  How, then, will we feed the people of Europe?  They will not thank us then for a headline grabbing, ego-satisfying deal at the WTO.  So caution, not short-term glory should be our guide."

EU Parliament