17/04/2008

Cattle Farmers 'Moo-ving' On Dublin Streets

Thousands of cattle farmers are expected to descend on the city for a protest march through Dublin today.

Beef and dairy farmers also plan to protest by shutting down for several hours at midday on Thursday in a show of solidarity.

The demonstrations coincide with the visit to Dublin of EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso.

The show of strength by the farmers surrounds the stance being taken by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandleson in the current round of negotiations to liberalise the rules on world trade.

They believe Ireland's livestock industry would be decimated, and there would be cuts in the dairy, grain and other sectors. This could result in 50,000 rural jobs being lost and 100,000 cattle farmers being made redundant.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, Irish Farmers Association President Padraig Walshe said the proposals would also have an impact on the Lisbon Treaty referendum.

European Commission Director General for Trade David O'Sullivan also spoke in the programme defending the proposals.

The main farm groups are demonstrating at 1.15pm at the EU Building in Molesworth Street and then marching to Dublin Castle where Mr Barroso will address the Forum on Europe.

There is also a major debate on world trade taking place in the Dáil on the same day, and fears have been expressed in recent days that many farmers will not support the Lisbon Referendum if there is a bad deal on WTO next month.

(DW)

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