The president of the Irish Farmers Association, Mr John Dillon, has told a national council meeting of his organisation that there is nothing to be gained in voting No to the Nice Treaty in the referendum this Saturday.
He told the meeting in Dublin yesterday, which was also addressed by Mr Pat Cox, the president of the European Parliament, that a No vote would not improve the farm income situation here or in Europe.
Urging farmers and their families to vote Yes, he said this was necessary to maintain the influence and good will of Ireland in Europe.
"Farmers will have greater influence in the forthcoming CAP [Common Agriculture Policy\] negotiations by being at the centre of the negotiating table by voting Yes and there is a risk that a No vote will marginalise Ireland in future negotiations," he said.
"My advice to farmers is clear and straightforward - don't leave it to someone else to decide, come out out and Vote Yes," he said.
Pledging to continue the fight for farm incomes at every level, Mr Dillon, whose organisation is conducting a solo campaign for a Yes vote, said voting for the treaty would actually strengthen his hand.
Mr Cox said he was deeply encouraged by the total unity of the Irish farming organisations in recommending farmers to vote Yes to Nice.
"This strategic and responsible attitude is entirely consistent with Irish family farming interests in the future European Union. It is a measure of real national leadership at this vital time," he said.
" Against the backdrop of a combination of a poor summer and depressed commodity prices, the farming organisations have avoided short-sighted and knee-jerk negativity and have opted to take the long-term view."
Last week, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association urged its members to vote Yes, the last farm organisation to do so.
It said it had done so without being influenced by either political persuasion or by outside bodies or individuals but had used the democratic process within the organisation.
The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, representing co-operatives, has already come out in favour of a Yes vote as has the Irish Dairy Board.
The Irish Dairy Board said it was convinced that supporting the Nice Treaty would increase the opportunities for trade, including Irish dairy exports.
It was also its belief that a No vote would lead to a major loss of good will for Ireland which could be very damaging to the dairy sector and the economy as a whole.