Brussels, 27/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - Irishman Padraig Walshe will succeed Frenchman Jean-Michel Lemétayer as President of COPA (Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations in the EU). On Thursday 23 April, the Praesidium of COPA unanimously elected Mr Walshe as the new President for the 2009 to 2011 period. Walshe has been President of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) since 2007 and, together with his wife, he manages a family farm mainly producing milk and beef meat. “Since 2000, European agricultural revenue has fallen 12%. I will devote my work as the new president of COPA to ensuring that the discussions on the CAP after 2013 open up some genuine future prospects for European farmers in terms of income,” said the new leader of European farmers. For more information, go to http://www.copa-cogeca.eu (L.C./transl.rt)