Mr Walshe said the situation was now so critical that the only option open to the Government was to use the veto to stop Mandelson’s reckless and disgraceful destruction of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The IFA President also accused the Trade Commissioner of sacrificing Irish and European farmers and the food industry in a race to the bottom on animal welfare, food safety and the environment. Mr Walshe said the cost to Ireland of the Mandelson offer to the South Americans is over €2 billion, with not a single gain in return for the expenditure. Cattle prices would be halved to €1.60/kg (below 60p/lb) and in turn devastate the Irish beef industry.

“Mandelson is now a failed and discredited politician who must be stopped in his last desperate attempt to destroy the Common Agricultural Policy. The only winners in his agenda are multinationals, commodity traders and corporate ranchers,” said The IFA President.

Mr Walshe said the consequences of a deal would wipe out Ireland’s 1.2 million suckler cow herd, with huge farm losses, job losses in food processing and the elimination of Ireland’s unique extensive grass-based beef production.

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