Minister accused of wrong focus in trade talks
The Irish Farmers Association is accusing Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith of side-tracking the most important issues at world trade talks in Geneva this week.
Mr Smith has pledged to prioritise the protection of €2bn worth of EU subsidies to Irish farmers each year.
However, the IFA says these payments are not under threat and the minister should instead be focusing on defending the Irish beef industry.
It says the proposed reduction of tariffs on foreign imports is the main issue of concern for Irish farmers.
