Vote Yes to Nice, IFA urges farmers
Announcing the IFA campaign, president John Dillon, assured farmers that they have nothing to gain by voting No. “It would not be wise for farmers use their vote as a protest on farm incomes because farming has most to lose if Ireland rejects the Nice Treaty,” he said.
Mr Dillon said that as most decisions affecting farm incomes were made at EU level, it was vital that it functions effectively as new member states join.
“With CAP funding vital for livestock premiums, headage, cereal aid, product price supports, including export refunds and farm development schemes, and with major proposals for further CAP reform on the table in Brussels, it is vitally important that Ireland retains the maximum influence in the EU decision making process,” he said.
Mr Dillon said EU membership had been very positive for Ireland and that the IFA has a good record of strong and effective lobbying for Irish farmers in Brussels. Mr Dillon said the main benefits of a Yes vote included:
securing the continuation of CAP transfers of €1,700 million annually to Irish agriculture and building alliances with other states to resist and change the Fischler CAP reform proposals;
Working with existing and new member states to ensure that the fundamental elements of the CAP were protected and that an adequate CAP budget was in place after 2006; ensuring that Ireland remained an attractive location for foreign direct investment and jobs by being at the centre of EU integration are other main benefits.
The Irish Dairy Board also decided unanimously at a board meeting yesterday to recommend a Yes vote to all in the dairy sector and to all the electorate.
It said this was done in support of the historic process of enlargement and the opportunities it offers for trade, including Irish dairy exports such as Kerrygold.
