The Irish Farmers' Association launched its own pro-Nice Treaty campaign yesterday by warning farmers that it would be unwise to use their vote as a protest against farm incomes.
The 85,000-strong organisation, which is running the campaign because of difficulties it has been having with the Department of Agriculture, did not take part in last Thursday's discussions and photo-call at Cork Airport with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. It plans to spend €150,000 on the campaign.
In a letter to the Taoiseach, the IFA president, Mr John Dillon, said the association was "absolutely, unqualified and unconditionally" in support of a Yes vote in the referendum.
There were a number of policy issues which had not been resolved between the organisation and the Government, the letter said, but this would not detract from the IFA's support for Nice.
The letter was written after eight hours of talks between Mr Dillon and the general secretary of the organisation, Mr Michael Berkery, with the Department of Agriculture and Food. That meeting failed to resolve the vexed question of individual sheep-tagging and the IFA's demand for a more simplified sheep register.
According to a statement issued through the IFA press office yesterday, Mr Dillon had said that farmers had nothing to gain by voting No and it "would not be wise for farmers to use their votes as a protest on farm incomes because farming had most to lose" if the treaty was rejected.
"As most decisions affecting farm incomes are made at EU level, it is vital that the EU functions effectively as new member states join - that is what the Nice Treaty is about," he said.
"With CAP funding vital for livestock premiums, headage, cereal aid, product price supports - including export refunds and farm development schemes - and with major proposals for further CAP reform on the table in Brussels, it is vitally important that Ireland retains the maximum influence in the EU decision-making process."
Mr Dillon said EU membership had been positive for Ireland and the IFA had a record of strong and effective lobbying in Brussels for farmers. A No vote would result in loss of goodwill and influence and would relegate Ireland to a second division in the EU.
The IFA was undertaking a nationwide campaign, including meetings and a media campaign in the local and farming press, to ensure that all farm families were fully aware of the association's recommendation for a Yes vote. "My advice to farmers is clear and straightforward - don't leave it to someone else to decide; come out and vote Yes for Nice on October 19th," Mr Dillon said.
The main political parties have been concentrating on securing the farm vote which was a major factor in the defeat of the last referendum. While the majority of farmers supported the treaty last time around, many did not vote.