ICSA do U-turn to urge Yes vote

THE Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association has decided to recommend a Yes vote to its members in the Nice Treaty referendum - an about-turn from the last occasion when it advocated a No vote.

In a statement yesterday, it pointed to a number of positive developments since the last referendum, particularly the Fischler CAP reform proposals and the greater level of debate since the first ballot.

It said it had also given consideration to the wider national interest and that the decision by its national executive to recommend a Yes vote had been taken following a very comprehensive process of consultation with its members.