Dr Franz Fischler, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Fisheries, last night charmed, challenged and cajoled his way through his first face-to-face meeting with Irish farmers since he reformed the CAP.
The sales ring at Goffs bloodstock centre in Kill, Co Kildare, was the apt setting for the showdown with John Dillon's divisions, who had travelled from all parts of the country for the event arranged by the Irish Farmers Journal.
But the burly Austrian, who has carried out the most radical reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in its 40-plus years of existence, told the farmers that Ireland had done well in the negotiations and had got virtually everything it had asked for.
"The CAP has been under the surgeon's knife and comes away younger and fitter for a few more years. To you farmers, we can offer the support but we cannot play the game for you," he said.
Dr Fischler, who had been given a warm reception by the farmers, proceeded to quote what he said was an old Irish proverb: "You must do your own growing no matter how poor your grandfather was."
When he was introduced by Mr John Malone, the secretary general of the Department of Agriculture, a relaxed Dr Fischler told the farmers that they were moving away from a quantity situation to a quality one.
The reform package, he said, would allow them greater flexibility to chase the markets they wanted to serve and to focus on the market realities. He flattered the dairymen in the audience by telling them they were the most competitive in Europe and reinforced their belief that the problems they faced happened from the processor onward.
"It is important they produce what the market wants. Why produce product that no one wants when Ireland can produce high-quality food which consumers want," he said.
The Commissioner, who clearly enjoys jousting with farmers, told the audience that far from damaging Irish farming, things would improve. With markets in better balance as a result of farmers not having to produce to qualify for direct payments, consumers would also get a better deal with food being produced to the highest possible standard.
In reply to a question, Dr Fischler denied that he had any interest in keeping product prices low because it would create major problems having to support farmers.
And he was prepared to go beyond his own brief in fielding a question about the proposed animal transport regulations which were announced recently by Commissioner Byrne. "I support those regulations on the length of travel time. All we are doing is giving the animals the same conditions that the drivers of the lorries currently have," he said.
Leaning on the podium, the former lecturer answered farmers who questioned him on why he was allowing cheap beef imports from outside the EU.
He warned that South American beef was produced to EU standards but it was produced at prices lower than EU farmers could produce, and while there did not now appear to be a level playing pitch, trade barriers against such imports could not now be contemplated.
In his address, the IFA president, Mr John Dillon, expressed his respect for the Commissioner, despite posing 20 pointed questions on issues that he felt would be very damaging to Ireland in the CAP reform.