Farm groups plan series of anti-Mandelson protests

Farming organisations are due to begin a series of protests today against EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson.

The groups claim the British politician is set to sacrifice the EU agri-food sector for unspecified access to American markets during upcoming world trade talks in Hong Kong.

The Irish Farmers Association has claimed 250,000 Irish jobs are at risk because of the move.

Spokesman Raymond O'Malley said: "If we are put in a position where we have to compete with much cheaper imports, we're going to see huge unemployment in rural Ireland.

"This will cause a situation where we're going to have people emigrating from the country once again."