Farmers step up campaign against trade concessions

IRISH farmers yesterday stepped up their campaign against European Commission concessions on agriculture in the world trade talks with two protests in Dublin.

Members of Irish Farmers Association (IFA) occupied the Dublin offices of the European Commission overnight, ahead of a major protest outside the building today by farmers from all over the country.

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) demonstrated outside the British Embassy and handed in a letter accusing EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson of exceeding the negotiating mandate given to him by member states.