Farming Community Needs DARD Support Now’

 

‘Farming Community Needs DARD Support Now’

      claims Joe Byrne MLA, Deputy Chair Assembly ARD Committee

 

The massive fall in farm incomes in 2012, where farm incomes on average fell by 52%, requires urgent government action by DARD to address the crisis in farming. We are all aware that 2012 was a disaster year for many in the farming community, with bad weather combining with low farm gate prices and higher input costs, particularly for feed and fuel adding to the problem.

The recent report by DARD on farm incomes for 2012 is a sorry tale of woe and anxiety for all connected with farming and the rural economy. The on-going difficulty experienced by many farmers regarding Single Farm Payment delays and associated difficulties regarding farm inspections, with associated disputes about grant claimants, are all adding to frustration and indeed anger.

The banking pressures, allied with all the above problems are simply putting many farmers in a difficult position regarding their future in agriculture. Cash flow problems are being compounded because of delayed SFP and other DARD payments. In the Assembly there has been much debate and questions to the DARD Minister Michelle O Neill regarding these problems, but little to date has been done by DARD to alleviate the farming difficulties.

In recent weeks the food scare about burger meat products, and the termination of some food supply contracts by some supermarket chains with some food processors, are all adding to the uncertainty and the crisis and confidence regarding our food growing and processing in Northern Ireland.

As we need to export 80% of our farm produce it is crucially important that domestic and overseas consumers have confidence and buy our food products. Our quality image and reputation as a food production region within Europe must be protected and indeed enhanced going forward.  It is vitally important that DARD and Food Safety authorities work together in a totally connected way to make sure that there are no gaps in ensuring quality food products end up in the supermarket, available for discerning customers.

The time has come for DARD and the Minister to be forthright and up to the task of addressing the farming related difficulties outlined above. And that they are committed to ensuring that quality assured products are presented to the consumer to command good prices for quality food at all times.

Like never before, the farming industry and the associated food processing sector need all of the government support necessary to help at this time.

DARD must address their efficiency and administrative systems so that grant payment to farmers like the SFP are paid more promptly so that farmers are not penalised or denied their money entitlement from the European Support Funds.

The farming community need government action and support now because of the difficult situation that many farmers find themselves in. Indeed the rural economy also needs this support at a very uncertain time for the industry.