No. 205 NAI TSCH/3/S15011/A
Memorandum for Government by the Department of Agriculture
'European Conference on the Organisation of Agricultural Markets,
March, 1953'
('The Green Pool')
(6/11/137)
Dublin, 19 June 1953
- The report of the Irish Delegation to the European Conference on the organisation of agricultural markets (‘Green Pool’) held in Paris from 16th to 20th March, 1953, is attached. In accordance with the Government’s decision S15011 of 13th March, 1953,1 the Delegation was led by the Ambassador at Paris, the other members being an Assistant Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and one of the First Secretaries at the Paris Embassy.
- As instructed, the Irish Delegation made it clear that their Government could not support the recommendation contained in the Majority Report of the Special Committee for Agriculture of the Council of Europe issued in May, 1951, or similar proposals with the same general aim. As regards the resolution finally adopted by the Conference, providing for the establishment of an Interim Committee to study further the economic and financial problems involved and the type of organisation necessary for achieving the objective of a unification of European agricultural markets, the Irish delegation indicated that they could not be a party to this resolution and could not commit their Government to participation in the proposed Interim Committee.
- The Irish Delegation formed the impression that some kind of European ‘Green Pool’ organisation will probably emerge eventually, though without the executive powers originally contemplated.
- Participation in the work of the Interim Committee referred to at Paragraph 2 above would not entail any commitments by this country in regard to adherence to any organisation that may be created as a result of the further full Conference to be held next October. A decision to participate would, however, necessitate the attendance of an officer from the Department of Agriculture at the meetings of the Committee. Participation would also involve a contribution towards the expenses of the Committee. At its first meeting on the 27th April the Committee expressed the wish that, apart from the contribution of Governments in setting up the Secretariat, the running expenses of the Secretariat should be borne jointly by Governments. These running expenses are estimated to amount to about 16 million francs (roughly £16,000) for the period 27th April to 31st October next and it has been proposed that the expenditure in question should, in view of its modest size, be apportioned equally among the countries participating in the Committee. On this basis and on the assumption that the seventeen countries which participated in the Conference in March were also to take part in the Interim Committee, the contribution of each country would be slightly less than £1,000. An enquiry has now been received as to whether Ireland agrees to share the expenses of the Interim Committee.
- The arguments in favour of participation in the Interim Committee are:-
- It would enable this country to be kept in close touch with developments and perhaps also to influence the conclusions of the Committee especially on the question of proceeding within the framework of OEEC rather than setting up a new body.
- It would enable this country to be kept fully informed of the attitude of the British authorities, which is of considerable importance from the point of view of Ireland.
On the other hand, in view of
- the almost entirely negative attitude which this country must adopt towards the idea of the ‘Green Pool’ and
- the great difficulty (as well as the expense) of arranging for the attendance of a Senior Officer at meetings in Paris,
the Minister for Agriculture holds the view that Ireland should not participate in the work of the Interim Committee.
- The Department of Finance considers that, in view of the negative attitude of this country to the ‘Green Pool’ proposal as a whole, participation in the Interim Committee would not be warranted.
- The Department of External Affairs has advanced the following views in favour of participation:-
‘Apart from the obvious necessity of following as closely as possible all developments in the agricultural sphere which may have important consequences, either favourable or unfavourable, for the major sector of the Irish economy, the Minister has in mind the general commitments to assist the promotion of European unity and co-operation which the Government have assumed as members of the Council of Europe and the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation. While the Irish representatives on these bodies have not been able to favour the supra-national approach to European unity, they have consistently supported measures directed to achieving the greatest possible degree of voluntary co-operation in matters of common concern, particularly in the economic field. It would, in the Minister’s view, be a departure from this policy to refuse to take part in the negotiations for the organisation of agricultural markets in Europe although he fully agrees that it may not be possible for Ireland to accept the more extreme proposals for a European Agricultural Pool which may be advocated by other countries. In these circumstances, the Minister feels that Ireland’s interests lie in participating in the negotiations and in endeavouring to direct their conclusions to the best advantage from our viewpoint. He would not consider that the comparatively modest sum which Ireland would be called upon to contribute to the expenses of the Interim Committee would represent a valid objection to participation in its work; and he feels sure that, having regard to the possible consequences for the Irish economy of the Committee’s work, your Department will be able to surmount any administrative difficulties which may arise.’
The Department of External Affairs has also expressed the view that, as countries will probably be expected to share the expenses of the Committee equally, whether they participate as full members or as observers only, there would be no advantage in limiting Ireland’s participation to that of an observer.
- In view of the differences of opinion as indicated in paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 above, the Minister for Agriculture has considered it desirable to request a decision from the Government as to whether Ireland should now participate in the work of the Interim Committee.2
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