Farmers’ group slam EU negotiations

THE European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has apparently learned nothing from the collapse of the world trade talks in Geneva, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association leader Jackie Cahill claimed yesterday.

Mr Cahill, responding to statements made by Mr Mandelson at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, said the Commissioner still seems intent on the destruction of Europe’s agriculture sector.

He said Mr Mandelson had predicted that European agriculture would be down-sized by as much as 10% annually if the negotiations were brought back on track and a deal was concluded cutting EU farm supports in lines with the demands from the G-20 group of developing countries.