IFA want next Government to defend Irish agriculture

The Irish Farmers' Association says the next Government will have to mount the strongest possible defence of agriculture.

The IFA has compiled a package of proposals, which it is putting to the political parties.

It believed there are major threats facing Irish farmers in the next few years.

A review of the Common Agricultural Policy is ongoing, while WTO negotiations over the next three years are expected to play a major part for the future of farming.

The IFA wants whoever forms the next Government to protect Irish interests on this front.

They also fear EU enlargement could lead to an inevitable thinner distribution and farmers here could loose out.