Farm body may oppose European referendum

ONE of the country’s main farm bodies warned yesterday it may oppose any upcoming referendum vote on a new constitution for Europe.

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association accused the European Union of mistreating farmers and failing to live up to its legal responsibilities under the Treaty of Rome.

Jackie Cahill, president, said the ICMSA will be coming under severe pressure to reverse its traditional support for these referendums because farmers have had enough as regards the EU and its vague commitments.

“The EU juggernaut is out of control, demanding compliance with its rules, but failing to honour its obligations,” he said.

Mr Cahill told the ICMSA annual conference at Limerick Racecourse that farmer hostility towards the EU was growing daily.

“I am convinced that we are fast approaching a stage where there may be a legal challenge taken by farmers against the EU Commission and Council on the grounds that they are in breach of the Treaty of Rome,” he said.

Mr Cahill said the ICMSA National Council had the courage to take the EU Council to court before.

“This would require a coordinated effort by farm organisations of other member states,” he said.

Warning that the WTO negotiations have the potential to cut farm prices, particularly those for milk beyond what was agreed in the EU Mid-Term Agreement, he said this was a very frightening scenario.

“We have been blatantly let down by the EU and now the commission is straining at the leash to get free of a legally binding mandate given to it by member states so that they can go beyond the EU offer at WTO and do a deal with the trading blocks,” he said.