IFA pushes case for ‘yes’ vote in Lisbon referendum

The Irish Farmers Association says it is confident that Irish voters will ratify the Lisbon Treaty following the economic downturn since the 'no' vote last time around.

The association says full EU membership is vital because it allows Ireland to be part of negotiations on crucial farming issues such as CAP payments.

A breakaway group of farmers has mounted a separate campaign for rejection of the treaty, which it says would be bad for Irish farming.

However, IFA president Padraig Walshe said today that the recession had highlighted Ireland's dependence on international partners.