Dillon protests WTO farming ‘sell-out’

THE former president of the Irish Farmers Association John Dillon walked out of a European Union sub-committee meeting in Brussels yesterday in protest at what he claimed was the sell-out of agriculture in the world trade talks.

He took the action as efforts intensified here in a bid to protect the country’s agri-food industry from the impact of a possible world trade deal.

Mr Dillon was attending a meeting of the internal relations sub-committee of the European Economic and Social Committee which was addressed by David O’Sullivan, director general of DG Trade.

“He explained how far the WTO talks had gone, but I said that agriculture was getting the hammer.

“I pointed out the European Commission has already gone as far it can and can’t negotiate any further because all its cards are given away,” said Mr Dillon.

Mr Dillon said he accused the Commission of presiding over the demise of European farmers and that Irish farmers did not have confidence in Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson as a negotiator.

Meanwhile, Irish farm and agri-business leaders will hold a press conference in Dublin today to highlight Irish concerns in the trade talks now believed to be at a crucial stage.

Fianna Fáil’s four MEPs — Brian Crowley, Liam Aylward, Seán Ó Neachtáin and Eoin Ryan — are to meet with David O’Sullivan in Brussels today for an assessment of where the talks are going.