Cowen welcomes EU priority

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has welcomed the raising of priority attached to the agriculture and food industries in the EU’s 2020 strategy for jobs and growth.

The EU leaders agreed to refer to agriculture as making an “important contribution” to the growth strategy, at the request of countries including Ireland, Romania and Hungary.

Mr Cowen highlighted the fact that food and drinks is the biggest manufacturing industry in the EU, during a recent EU leaders’ meeting.