Dairy farming group to back Lisbon

A DECISION by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association leader Jackie Cahill to recommend a yes vote in the Lisbon treaty to his national council followed a meeting with Taoiseach Brian Cowen in Tullamore yesterday.

Mr Cahill said Mr Cowen gave the ICMSA an ironclad assurance that the Government will flatly refuse to accept any world trade proposals that undermine the farming sector, be it beef or dairy.

“This is a de facto guarantee and we can surely rely on the Taoiseach. I am certainly happy to accept the word of Mr Cowen, freely given and sincerely accepted,” he said.