The Progressive Democrats have accused the Green Party of attempting to disown its opposition to live cattle exports.
Speaking on the publication of the PDs' agriculture policy on a farm in Co Laois today, PD president Tom Parlon said that one of the most notable features of this campaign had been "the anxiety of some of the Opposition parties to disown long-held policy positions in a bid to make themselves more acceptable to the voters before May 24th next.
Tom Parlon, PDs president
"One case in point which should be of particular interest to the farming community in this country has been the attempts of the Green Party to disown their long-standing policy of opposing live cattle exports," Mr Parlon said.
He said Green Party leader Trevor Sargent had recently described a statement made by Mr Parlon pointing out what the Greens' policy was, as "simply a lie".
Quoting directly from the Green Party's animal welfare policy, Mr Parlon said it stated clearly that the Green Party "does not promote or support live exports of animals.
"I'm not sure who Mr. Sargent was trying to hoodwink, but it is very clear from their own party policy that I had certainly not been lying," he said.
"More recently, we had Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny seeking to explain away the embarrassing policy stance of the Greens by boldly asserting that 'the Green Party is not opposed to live exports and that is confirmed by Trevor Sargent',
Sunday Times,
April 29th last.
"So this is a case of not only Trevor Sargent seeking to hoodwink and mislead Irish farmers, but we also have Enda Kenny in on the act."
Green Party deputy leader Mary White said Mr Parlon's remarks were "paranoid bluster".
"The Green Party wants to create added value for Irish farmers and reduce unnecessary food miles by promoting local abattoirs and meat processing plants. We would much rather invest in Irish jobs, support Irish farmers and encourage demand for fresh, healthy local produce than propagate a system that, in many cases, places animals under undue stress," she said.
"We recognise however that a viable alternative does not yet exist, and until it does we favour the phasing out over time of live exports. We also recognise the current economic importance of such sales to Irish farmers."
"From the outset, the Green Party has been honest and open about our policies, as well as those of our opponents. It is sad to see the Progressive Democrats throughout this campaign resorting to lies, smear and spin. It smacks of desperation and a dearth of ideas, and is a disappointing development in what could be the final weeks of a once-honourable party."