Battle to protect EU agriculture budget tougher than expected

THE battle to protect the European Union budget for agriculture will be tougher than expected, it emerged in Brussels over recent days.

This follows indications from Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski that he sees a future with less spent on agriculture and more on research and innovation.

Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness said his words are part of a softening up process, preparing the ground for a lower agriculture budget, unless this is strongly resisted. Now is the time to cry, “halt”.