Dillon elected as vice president of COPA

IFA president John Dillon was elected vice-president of COPA the Committee of Agriculture Organisations in the European Union in Brussels last Friday.

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.