Bureaucrats urged to recognise the importance of local food industries

GLOBAL bureaucrats need to take cognisance of the vital importance of the food industry to practically every country, Minister of State Martin Mansergh urged last night, when he addressed a gathering in Cahir Castle, which celebrated a wide range of food produced in Co Tipperary.

“I am glad that farmers are not facing the prospect of an unsatisfactory and unbalanced world trade deal, and that European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has not been able to add the destruction of the Common Agricultural Policy to his CV,” he said.

Mr Mansergh praised IFA president, Pádraig Walshe, and other farm organisations on their vigorous defence of the farm sector, “even if I do not necessarily agree with every tactic adopted”.