Farm family incomes face 35% cuts in WTO talks

THERE were few crumbs of comfort for Irish farmers from the EU's chief negotiator at the WTO talks, Peter Mandelson said this weekend.

The country's €1,600 million meat and dairy exports are facing major competition from Brazilian ranchers predicted to cut Irish farm family incomes by 35%.

The EU Trade Commissioner and former Northern Ireland secretary has been severely criticised for making his final offer so early in the negotiations.