European Election candidate for Ireland East, Senator John Paul Phelan, has commended IFA president Padraig Walshe, on being selected president of COPA.
“Padraig Walshe is a giant in Irish agriculture and his appointment to this prestigious position in COPA, representing 60 organisations from within the EU, gives Ireland a unique strength in agricultural negotiations in Europe.
“At a time when so many decisions impacting on Irish farmers are made in Europe, having an Irishman at the heart of lobbying and decision making within such an important group in the EU is a major boost to the sector.
“Padraig Walshe has always been a very astute individual and knows the industry inside out. His selection as COPA President also augurs very well for Irish farming as a whole and further boosts our reputation as a key farming state within the enlarged EU.
“I have always felt a close connection to Padraig – like my own brother, Seamus, he started out his career as Macra president,” Senator Phelan said.
