A TOUGH defence of the agri-food sector in Ireland and the rest of the European Union is being sought by Meat Industry Ireland in the world trade negotiations, which enter a crucial phase in Geneva today.

Efforts to liberalise world trade are stalling because of EU intransigence over reforming its farm aid, ministers said today as they wrapped up a fruitless week of meetings in Geneva.

OXFAM has been accused by an Irish member of the European Parliament of joining the simplistic “Blair Camp” on the future of agricultural policy and support within the European Union.