Ulster Unionist Elliott In Rage Over Mandelson CAP Talks
NORTHERN IRELAND - Ulster Unionist agriculture spokesperson, Tom Elliott, has said that Peter Mandelson has made a total mess of trade negotiations and has warned that if there are further concessions by the EU Commission in WTO talks it will expose the European market to a flood of cheap food imports.The Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA called on EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson to stick to the mandate given to him by EU Agriculture Ministers and defend the reformed CAP and the livelihoods of European farmers.
In a statement, the MLA said: "The WTO negotiations are in their final stages and the outcome will effect the livelihoods of many farming businesses in Northern Ireland. But Peter Mandelson is making a total mess of negotiations.
"He has offered to throw open the European food market to all-comers with a 46 per cent cut in import tariffs.
Under Mandelson, Europe will become the dumping ground of the world food market where there will be no control over quality, no tagging and no food traceability.
Source: FarmingLife
13 December 2005
1 minute read
