IFA CONCERNS:THE GOVERNMENT will be able to veto the World Trade Organisation talks if it is unhappy with the impact such an agreement could have on Irish agriculture, the European Commission made clear last night.
Irish Farmers' Association assistant general secretary Brian Barry, speaking in Co Mayo, said farmers needed a guarantee that an unacceptable deal would be blocked.
EU commissioner Peter Mandelson's negotiating conduct threatened to sound the "death knell" for Irish farming, said Mr Barry, but the IFA would call for a Yes vote on the Lisbon Treaty if it had a guarantee that the Government would veto.
Last night, the commission said EU treaties "make clear that any trade deal that includes provisions on services, investment or intellectual property rights must be approved by unanimity.
"EU trade agreements almost always now cover these areas and are expected to in future. They must therefore be approved by all member states - unanimity. A WTO Doha agreement, which must include services, would obviously fall into this category. It will therefore be subject to unanimity," he said.
"Furthermore, under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, trade agreements would also require the approval of the European Parliament, a change which would considerably extend the control of the parliament in the area of trade and thus extend the power of elected representatives over trade policy," said the commission.
Separately yesterday, Irish Farmers' Association president Pádraig Walshe said that if the Government gave a commitment that it was prepared to veto the World Trade Agreement, he would recommend a Yes vote in the referendum.
Asked, in an interview on RTÉ Radio, whether he would recommend a Yes vote if the Government provided an assurance on the veto, Mr Walshe said "Yes".
If the Government is prepared to say that they are prepared to veto this deal in conjunction with the French government, I think we will feel much more confident in recommending a Yes vote to farmers," he said.