Mariann Boel Quotations

I am delighted we have managed to finalize this very important agreement, after 20 years of on-off negotiations,

GM farming has arrived, and we must have the administrative tools to handle all aspects of it.

Our proposal is clearly targeting helping developing countries, ... This is the first full- fledged proposal on market access.

Our proposal is clearly targeting helping developing countries,

to be very offensive on finding an end-date. It will not be the EU that is lagging.

We are confident that our revised proposal is fully in conformity with the ruling of the WTO arbitrators, ... It was always our intention that the level of protection would not change under our new import regime.

We believed that the system we proposed would have maintained access to our markets in a fair manner. We calculated the proposed tariff in a neutral and transparent manner, based on a comprehensive legal and economic analysis. We will now carefully study the decision before deciding how to proceed.

To say we have been holding back or not moving is simply not true.

We are surprised and disappointed that the arbitrators did not back our proposal,

Everyone should be free to choose. But that choice is eroded if GM and non-GM crops are unintentionally mixed up; and in such cases, there may be an economic impact on one or more of the parties involved.

Despite our efforts, we were not able to come to an agreement with our partners. Nor did they present an alternative proposal of their own. Time is now running out for the introduction of the tariff-only regime by the beginning of next year. This is why we are requesting a second round of arbitration today.

This deal will remove the legal uncertainty which has hung over this trade for several years and benefit producers on both sides of the Atlantic.

This is a crucial process in ensuring that CAP money is used properly and that all unduly spent amounts are recovered.

I'm delighted that this agreement can finally enter into force, and I raise my glass to the negotiators for their efforts. This deal will facilitate access for EU wines to the lucrative US market, where consumers greatly appreciate the quality and long history behind our wines. In today's increasingly competitive market place, it is vital that there are no unnecessary and burdensome barriers for our winemakers, who I believe are the best in the world. The EU attaches great importance to the proper protection of its geographical indications abroad.

In my view, the most sensible approach would be to compensate farmers for measures which temporarily reduce production.

I am absolutely delighted that the council (of member states) has taken the courageous decision to back these long-overdue reforms.

The EU has carefully analyzed the (first WTO) arbitration award, revised its proposal accordingly, and initiated consultations with our Latin American and ACP partners on this basis,

The measures may appear tough, but there is no alternative.