Walshe warns of a real and present threat to global food security

THE first Irishman to lead COPA, the umbrella body for 12 million European farmers, has warned that the threat to global food security is very real.

Padraig Walshe, president of the Irish Farmers Association, was unanimously chosen for the two-year term of office at a meeting of what is the European Farmers Union in Brussels.

A dairy and beef farmer, he has already taken up the position, but will continue, to lead the IFA until his four year mandate expires next January.