How will the enlarged European look – if we vote yes

THE Agricultural Science Association will urge all its members at their annual conference in Dublin tomorrow to support the ratification of the Nice Treaty.

Sean Gaule, president, said it is imperative for the Irish economy and for Ireland’s future role in the EU, that the Nice Treaty be ratified.

The theme of the conference is the impact of an enlarged Europe on Irish agriculture in particular, and European agriculture in general.

The conference line-up will feature many eminent speakers from Ireland and overseas.

Mr Gaule said the mid-term CAP review, EU enlargement, and world trade developments have the potential to change fundamentally the practice and structure of farming, the agri-food industry and associated services.

The agricultural graduates’ association has assembled an expert panel of speakers to address the critical issues at the conference, which will be opened by Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh. Having attended last weekend’s Council of EU agriculture Ministers in Denmark, he will outline Ireland’s position with regard to the mid term review of CAP and WTO negotiations.

Professor Joe Mannion, Faculty of Agriculture, UCD, will deliver the keynote address.

Prominent figures from European agriculture will discuss key topics.

Among them will be Dr Martin Willie, German State Secretary, Professor Gerrit Meester, Agricultural Policy Advisor to the Dutch Minister for Agriculture, Mr Zoltan Somogyi from the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture, and Dr Cezary Lusinski, the Polish Embassy, Dublin.

Professor Brigid Laffan, UCD Department of Politics, will discuss the likely consequences of a yes or no vote in the Nice Treaty referendum and Professor Ed Walsh, University of Limerick, will speak on science in economic development.

Jim Flanagan, Director of Teagasc, will cover education, science and research, and Michael Duffy, Chief Executive, Bord Bia, will look at Irish food export markets.

Other speakers will be Tom Arnold, Chief Executive, Concern Worldwide, Ms. Carmel Cahill, OECD, Gerry O’Hanlon, Director, CSO, Mary Minch, EC, Brussels, Daniel Blanc, French Embassy, Sweden, Neils Linberg Madsen, Danish Agricultural Council, Professor John Ryan, International Research Institute, Syria and Professor Patrick Cunningham, TCD.

As part of the conference, a special dinner tonight celebrates the centenary of the UCD Faculty of Agriculture’s economic and social contribution to life in Ireland, through education, research and advice.