Mandelson ‘exceeded talks mandate’

THE livelihoods of millions of European farmers are at stake, co-op and farm leaders have warned.

Donal Cashman and Jean-Michel Lemétayer, the respective presidents of the European umbrella bodies COGECA and COPA, said the European Commission has gone too far in the World Trade talks and Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has exceeded his mandate.

They said it is high time Mr Mandelson stopped negotiating against EU interests for the sake of reaching an agreement. The constant erosion of the Common Agricultural Policy must end, they said.