MEPs approve Ashton for trade amid concern

EUROPE’S new trade commissioner to replace Peter Mandelson has been approved by the European Parliament, but she may not be farmer-friendly.

Irish MEP Sean Ó Neachtain believes that while Catherine Ashton might be less aggressive than her predecessor, she does not really understand the situation of small farmers.

Mandelson made it clear when he was negotiating the Doha world trade agreement on behalf of the EU that he was willing to sacrifice farming interests.