Irish farmers support EU treaty

The influential Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has thrown its support behind the EU's Lisbon Treaty ahead of a key referendum on 12 June.

Ireland is the only one of the 27 EU member countries to try to ratify the treaty through a referendum rather than a parliamentary vote.

The IFA's decision comes as opinion polls show the No camp gaining ground on the pro-treaty groups.

The Irish PM has pledged to veto any trade deal that harms Irish farming.