IFA meets Mandelson over trade concerns

THE concern and anger of Irish farmers over European Union concessions on agriculture in the world trade talks were directly conveyed to Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson when the IFA met with him in Brussels yesterday.

IFA president John Dillon accused Mr Mandelson of a sell-out that would devastate Ireland’s family farm structure, with incomes falling by 36%.

The meeting followed Tuesday’s IFA-organised protest by 5,000 farmers in Dublin during which there were calls on the EU to remove Mr Mandelson from office because of claims he had exceeded his negotiating mandate.