Lisbon rap for farmers

[Oisín]

Lisbon rap for farmers

French Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier last night warned Irish farmers that failure to support the Lisbon Treaty next time around could have severe ramifications for farming and rural communities, writes Aideen Sheehan.

Mr Barnier made his comments at the presentation in Paris of a French government award to Fianna Fail MEP Liam Aylward for his political efforts in support of the European food and agriculture sector.

Mr Barnier's words will be seen as a rebuke to the IFA for their refusal to give their support to the 'Yes' campaign in the Lisbon Treaty referendum until the last minute in a bid to gain political leverage in the World Trade Organisation talks.

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Scare mongering! Very typical of the pro-EU supporters.

[Oisín]

Scare mongering! Very typical of the pro-EU supporters.

I just hope it doesn't work. With the current economic crisis people are genuinely scared of what's round the corner. The situation in Ireland is terrible at the minute, a recent poll showed 9 out of 10 workers now fear that their job is not safe. Earlier on this morning Dell confirmed that 1,900 jobs are going to be lost just 40mins from where I live, I know quite a few people working there. The jobs are moving to Poland instead, the people who are going to be training the staff in Poland were originally Polish immigrants who came to Ireland. My worry is that with the economy in tatters and people so fearful for their livelihoods and their families futures that this EU bullying might work and people could be manipulated into voting Yes to the Lisbon referendum MKII through fear. We'll just have to work twice as hard on the next No campaign.