IFA chief criticises Mandelson

As world trade talks begin in Geneva today, the president of the Irish Farmer's Association has strongly criticised Peter Mandelson.

The organisation is holding a demonstration outside Government Buildings today in protest at the EU Trade Commissioner's handling of the negotiations.

Mr Mandelson has admitted that European farmers will be the "major losers" from a new world trade deal.

He says that proposed agricultural reforms would see subsidies for the farming sector cut by €80bn and trade tariffs cut by more than half.