Brussels, 04/06/2008 (Agence Europe) -With opinion polls predicting a very tight result in the referendum of 12 June on the Lisbon Treaty (a poll published at the end of May indicated that only eight points would separate the "yes" camp, with 41%, from the "no" voters, at 33%), the new Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen was able to pledge the support of the largest farming organisation of Ireland. On 3 June, the powerful Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) called on its members to vote "yes" in the referendum. In return, the Irish government has pledged to defend the interests of the farmers in negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the Doha Round. Mr Cowen even "assured the IFA that he is prepared to use his veto if an agreement that was unacceptable to Ireland was put to the vote" at the WTO. On 1 June, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), the country's second-largest farming organisation, called upon its 40,000 members to vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty. (H.B.)