IRELAND: FARMERS AND POLICE CLASH AT EU AGRICULTURE MEETING

Описание: (24 Sep 1996) English/Nat

Angry Irish farmers have converged on a meeting of European Union agriculture ministers to vent their frustration at a 40 per cent drop in their incomes due to the mad cow disease crisis.

The farmers clashed with police as E-U ministers met in Ireland on Tuesday to discuss ways of compensating the farmers for a slump in beef prices caused by the scare over B-S-E.

The farmers say the drop in their incomes came after Britain announced a link between mad cow disease and a fatal human illness in March.

Despite attempts to assuage stricken beef farmers with promises of financial payouts, thousands of angry Irish farmers protested outside the informal meeting of European Union agricultural ministers.

The farmers clashed with police outside the conference hotel in Killarney on Tuesday as E-U agriculture ministers tried to revive the beef industry, hit by the crisis over mad cow disease, or B-S-E.

Thousands of farmers gathered beforehand for a protest rally organised by the Irish Farmers Association.

One of the protest banners provided a chilling reminder of the cattle that are being culled as a result of the B-S-E crisis.

The Irish farmers claim they have suffered a 40 per cent drop in incomes after Britain announced a link in March between B-S-E and a human form of the disease, Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease.

Although the scare has been centred on Britain, farmers in other E-U countries have seen beef sales and prices fall and consumer confidence evaporate.

Chairman of the association, John Donnelly, said time was running out for the European Union to take action over the issue.

SOUNDBITE:
"It's a very strong message going to this council of ministers today when you see the huge crowds there. We're saying time is running out for the council. Time is running out for the commission. We want action and we want it now, otherwise the wrath of farmers will be brought down on top of the commission and the council of ministers right across the community."
SUPER CAPTION: John Donnelly, Chairman of the Irish Farmers Association

After the rally, the farmers converged on the conference hotel where E-U agriculture ministers were meeting.

The ministerial meeting is expected to clear the way for 400 (m) million pounds (600 (m) million U-S dollars) extra compensation for farmers hit by the `mad cow disease' crisis.

But Irish farmers believe the measures will not go far enough.

After the meeting the ministers ate beefburgers and drank milk in a display of confidence in the products.

The transmission of B-S-E to humans has been linked to low grade beef products such as burgers.

Subsequent revelations that B-S-E could be passed from cows to calves through milk added to the crisis, although there has been no suggestion that humans could be endangered by drinking milk.

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