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// IFA rejects An Taisce attack on agriculture at UN summit

IFA Environmental Chairman Francis Fanning, representing IFA as part of the official Irish delegation attending the UN summit on sustainable development in Johannesburg, has rejected an attack on Irish agriculture by An Taisce.

He said "An Taisce have accused Ireland of deliberately dumping farm produce on world markets which, they have claimed, undermines farming in developing countries. This attack on Irish agriculture by An Taisce at the UN summit is grossly unjustified and wrong, and is indicative of a growing anti farmer bias in an Taisce who are clearly outside their field of competence in this outrageous attack on Irish agriculture." Following An Taisce's attack, Mr Fanning lodged a protest with the chairman of the meeting for major groups at the UN summit. He said:''The most sensitive food products for developing countries are cereals. As Irish grain farmers know too well, grain prices to Irish farmers are at world prices. There is no subsidised or trade distorting export of grain by Ireland and no dumping of product which might undermine agriculture in developing countries. Furthermore, the EU's supply management policies have reduced surpluses and there is little or no import protection for cereal crops into the EU." For milk and beef exports, which are of less significance to developing countries, Mr Fanning said Ireland is part of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and is in negotiation with all the world's agricultural producers on trade issues. The WTO is reducing the volume of products covered by export refunds and the rates of refunds applicable. Mr Fanning said it is critical to Irish farmers that the Irish governmental delegation to the summit defends the EU's right to support farmers through the direct payments system which is not trade distorting. Leitrim Observer