Ahern urged to defend CAP at Brussels summit

FARM and co-op leaders yesterday urged Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to defend the Common Agricultural Policy budget and Ireland's national interests at the EU summit in Brussels.

The ICMSA said Mr Ahern has a strong mandate following the Nice Treaty referendum to call on member-state governments to pay for the EU enlargement process.

ICOS, the umbrella body for the country's co-ops, said Irish farmers had voted Yes in the Nice referendum on the basis that the Government would defend the CAP, and its budget.