Dairy sector groups continue to lobby Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos for the EU to soften its stance on superlevy fines for the remaining 14 months of the quota era.

In voting last week, the European Parliament has shown its hand as it enters the EU farm policy reform for the first time ever as a full co-legislator with member states.

FARMERS who grow beet for the €140 million Irish sugar processing industry sent a defiant “No Sell Out” message to the Government and the European Commission at a rally attended by over 3,000 people in Mallow, Co Cork, yesterday.

THE CAP reform proposal to shift money from direct aids and market support to rural development is being strongly supported by member states.