Dillon elected as vice president of COPA
Mr Dillon said he was honoured to have been elected by the 66 organisations which represent seven million farmers in 15 countries. "As vice-president, I want to be at the centre of policy decisions in COPA and I will have an opportunity to participate in all negotiations on behalf of Irish and EU farmers."
Mr Dillon said his election was a recognition of his strong defence of family farm structures, and he had received support from smaller European countries as well as the large players such as Germany and France.
He said there would be an additional workload, but his EU position would strengthen his hand with the Government and the EU.
Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh was among those who congratulated Mr Dillon on his election.
"As farmers in Europe we have an interest to develop the CAP in order to meet the growing needs of consumers and of the whole society and we are ready to do so. But this must be done in full co-operation with all those who produce food", said the new President of COPA, Peter Gaemelke.
The Dane said politicians cannot change agricultural policy every two or three years and expect farmers to bear the consequences. "Farmers no longer know whether they are coming or going", he said, calling for the European Council to send a clear message to the Commission and to the WTO that no further reform of the CAP will be decided before the EU is enlarged in 2004.
Big trading partners are putting pressure on the EU to reform the CAP quickly, but we cannot be pushed into a hurried compromise, said Mr Gaemelke.
