Geneva talks crucial to farming

IT is going to be a crucial week for Irish farmers in the world trade negotiations in Geneva.

IFA president Padraig Walshe said yesterday the future of the Irish beef industry would be on the table. He called on Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan to veto further concessions that European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson might offer.

Mr Walshe said the IFA was extremely concerned at the determination of EU negotiators to push for a deal that would open up the European beef market to almost unlimited imports from Brazil.