Harkin raises WTO negotiations in European Parliament

Speaking in the European Parliament today, Monday 21st April, Marian Harkin expressed her serious concern about the direction being taken by Commissioner Mandelson in the current WTO negotiations and his willingness to sacrifice Agriculture in an attempt to put together an agreement at all costs. "I have put the question in the Parliament on many occasions to Commissioner Fisher Boel about Commissioner Mandelson going outside his remit with regard to the concessions on agriculture. Each time she has re-assured me that this will not happen". However, MEP Harkin still expressed her serious concern that Commissioner Mandelson was intent on reducing import tariffs beyond what he was mandated to do and this would in turn flood the European market with imported food.

 "The outcome of Commissioner Mandelson's actions would be to severely damage and in some cases destroy European food production. You can only do this once - then it is gone permanently. As Members of Parliament we have a responsibility not just to ensure sustainable quality and traceable food production we must also ensure food security for our citizens" concluded MEP Harkin.