Farmers accuse Cowen of ‘obstinate refusal’ to veto trade deal

THE Irish Farmers’ Association accused an Taoiseach Brian Cowen yesterday of an “obstinate refusal” to publicly veto agricultural cuts proposed by European commissioner Peter Mandelson in the world trade talks.

The IFA has set out 10 reasons why the Government cannot expect farmers to vote yes in the Lisbon treaty referendum. But it has so far stopped short of recommending a no vote.

The association has repeatedly called on the Government to indicate that it will veto any trade deal that is bad for agriculture and the food industry in Ireland.