The Grocer / February 10, 2001
The European Union's latest rash of BSE scares highlights the need to give food safety prominence in negotiations with the World Trade Organisation, according to EU farm commissioner Franz Fischler.
As EU officials continued farm trade liberalisation talks at the WTO in Geneva, Fischler argued that the mad cow scare meant special treatment had to be given to farm policy.
Brussels experts say that the new alarm over BSE has given the Commission further ammunition in its struggle to persuade trade liberalisers that "European agriculture is different" -- and not just a business where normal competitive rules apply.
This argument forms the basis for justifying taxpayer financed farm subsidies, market manipulation and the subsidisation of exports granted to no other industry.
Fischler said: "European agriculture is also about the environment, consumers and food safety.
"This is why we will stand firm to defend these non-trade concerns in the WTO talks.
"With the Agenda 2000 reforms we have proven our firm commitment to go down the road towards less trade distorting, de-coupled farm support."
Copyright 2001 William Reed Ltd.:
