This article is from page 36 of the 2008-02-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
CLARE Fianna Fail TD and Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Com- mittee on European Affairs member- ship, Timmy Dooley, has welcomed the news that the IFA have called for a Yes vote for the EU Reform Treaty.
“Europe has been good for Irish farmers and it is vital that we contin- ue to have a strong voice at the heart of Europe,’ he said.
“Showing our support for the EU Reform Treaty is a vital display of our support.
“The Common Agriculture Policy
of the EU has played a vital role in the development of the Irish farming and food industry. Farmers in Clare continue to be influenced by the EU and the IFA is right to recognise this and call on farmers to continue to play a central role in the EU.
“This Government is committed to backing farmers and the rural econo- my and our relationship with the EU is intrinsic to this.
“Issues such as the upcoming CAP Health Check negotiations and World Trade Talks will be dealt with by our Minister for Agriculture and her officials. It can only strengthen their position if they are quite rightly
recognised as active and respected members of the European Union. This is how we can deliver the best results for Irish farmers into the fu- neko
“IT am urging all Clare farmers to heed the call of the IFA. A Yes vote for the Reform Treaty will show that Irish farmers are determined to re- main at the heart of European deci- sion making.”
Meanwhile, Fine Gael’s Deputy Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Clare TD, Pat Breen, has welcomed the complete ban on the importa- tion of Brazilian beef saying it was good news for consumers and for the
farmers of County Clare.
“IT welcome news of the Brazilian beef ban and it is high time consid- ering the evidence of low production standards and risky practices which have been exposed in Brazil,” he said.
“Consumers have a right to know that the beef they are buying is pro- duced to the highest standards. I hope that this ban will result in a re- balancing of the situation where one set of rigorous standards is applied to Irish farmers who are forced to compete with Brazilian beef produc- ers who do not comply with the same rules.”