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EU in denial, says Allister

11 August 2006

DUP Euro MP Jim Allister says the EU Commission is in denial over the jeopardy in which it has placed agriculture following what he terms “foolish and over generous concessions” offered in the failed WTO talks. 

Mr Allister made his comments on the back of a recent letter from Fischer Boel to the UFU in which the Agriculture Commissioner said, “I am quite confident that our October (2005) offer provides for real tariff cuts both for developed and developing countries and will help Northern Ireland’s agriculture industry by enhancing possibilities to export agricultural and food products.”

It is the suggestion that Northern Ireland agriculture is helped by the October offer with which the Ulster MEP takes major issue, causing him to conclude that such a fatuous  conclusion shows an EU out of touch with reality and in denial as to the true import of its stance.

In a statement Jim Allister said:-

“If Fischer Boel believes the concessions offered in October 05 on export refunds are helpful, rather than ruinous, particularly to our dairy sector, then she is lamentably out of touch with reality.  The present refunds on milk powder exports are vital to the viability of our industry, yet Brussels is persistently cutting them and the Commissioner seems to think that will enhance our export opportunities.  The reverse is true.

Sadly, Fischer Boel has been too compliant with Mandelson’s reckless pursuit of a WTO deal, almost at any price.  Even the lack of a deal does not seem to have caused her to take the opportunity of rowing back, rather in her letter to the UFU she commits to “the success of the Round”, which anyone with a brain in their head knows will inevitably involve further agricultural concessions.

Being particularly concerned about the future of our dairy sector, I will be raising its plight with the Commissioner when I lead a deputation from across the industry to meet her in early September.”

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Agriculture and Environment