Lisbon yes hangs on WTO

By O'Keeffe

IFA president Padraig Walshe and John Horgan, Kepak managing director at the gates of Kepak Clonee prior to the Mandelson Shutdown which takes place today (Thursday) where the agricultural industry will standstill from 12 noon to 3pm.

As thousands of farmers gather in Dublin today and the agri-industry stages an unprecedented "shut-down'', IFA President Padraig Walshe has signally clearly that his organisation's support for a yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty now hinges on the outcome of the WTO talks.

At their agm in January, the IFA came out publicly in support of a yes vote from farmers in the Lisbon Treaty referendum. However, as the momentum towards a possible WTO deal on agriculture intensified in recent weeks, the IFA leadership faced a growing swell of opposition to this stance.

When asked by the Irish Farmers Journal yesterday if the IFA's position on the Lisbon Treaty had changed since January, IFA President Padraig Walshe said: "If the Irish Government comes back from the May 20 Ministerial meeting with a WTO sell-out, then I could not credibly ask farmers to vote yes in the Lisbon referendum''.

A change in the recommended voting stance of the country's largest farming organisation would be a severe blow to Government hopes of passing the referendum, given the high voter turnout in rural areas and farming's traditional pro-European stance. This week a leaked email from a British diplomat based in Dublin highlighted the fact that the Irish Government was aware of such a threat. Following a Lisbon Treaty related briefing from Dan Mulhall in the EU Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the official wrote: "The only other unhelpful event the Irish thought might impact on the May vote would be a WTO deal based on agricultural concessions that could lead the powerful farming association to withdraw its support''.

In recent days, momentum behind today's protest and "shut-down'' gathered strength, with strong backing from rural businesses. Meat processors have been particularly visible, highlighting the seriousness of the WTO threat.

Today, the leaders of the IFA, ICMSA, ICOS and Macra will present a declaration to EU Commissioner Barroso, who is in Dublin to attend the Forum for Europe at Dublin Castle.