Conference to discuss CAP strains

Carlow: The strains on the Common Agricultural Policy and the challenges for Ireland in the upcoming World Trade Organisation talks will be among the key topics at the annual conference of the Agricultural Science Association in the Mount Wolseley Hilton, Tullow, Co Carlow, on September 23.

Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan will officially open the conference, which will have addresses by Tom Moran, secretary general of her department, and Professor Alan Matthews of Trinity College.

Britain’s perspective on the direction of EU policy will be given by Sir Richard Packer, a former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food permanent secretary.