‘Plan puts beef trade under threat’

A PROPOSAL by the European Commission (EC) to axe prepayment of export refunds would have a serious impact on the Irish beef trade to non-EU countries, according to Fine Gael.

Party agriculture spokesman Denis Naughten said it is imperative Taoiseach Bertie Ahern takes a direct role in the matter as he said Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan had failed to gain an upper hand at EU level on beef issues.

Mr Naughten said the EC failed to protect Irish farmers at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks and it cannot be allowed to now fast-track damaging proposals like this measure by the back door.