Icos: EU farm funds top priority

Co-op sector umbrella group Icos is seeking a commitment to strong Cap funding and the development of new overseas markets for agri-food products from all General Election candidates.

Icos wants the government that emerges from next week’s general election to deliver a strong voice for Irish agri-food at EU negotiations.

Icos represents more than 130 co-operatives with some 150,000 members. The co-ops have a combined turnover of about €14bn, employing 12,000 people in Ireland and 24,000 overseas.