During a debate in Stormont on
Tuesday 21st May relating to Farm Incomes; Joe Byrne, MLA for West Tyrone and
Vice-Chair of the Assembly Agricultural Committee, called on the local Banks in
Northern Ireland to show more flexibility and outlined the need for extended credit
facilities to many farm businesses that are in dire need of help at this time.
During the debate Mr Byrne
emphasised the need for banks to recognise the current difficulties that many
farmers face due to the weather related problems and the shortage of fodder.
The motion on falling farm
incomes proposed by Joanne Dobson MLA (UUP) was amended by Mr Byrne in relation
to Bank credit facilities. In reference to the Agri-food strategy report
published last week, Mr Byrne called on Minister O’Neill to declare the
Executive’s position on the need for £ 400 million pounds of government support
over the next 3 to 4 years to kick start the Agri-Strategy for the following 10
years.
Speaking after the debate Mr
Byrne stated:
“I put down the amendment
relating to bank credit facilities because many farmers are in a precarious
position financially, whereby many of them are operating at their credit limit
but need further short term credit facilities to deal with fodder and feed
shortages.
“My fear is that some banks will
not be sensible and sensitive to some farmer’s problems and unfortunately, some
farm businesses may go bankrupt.
“I was pleased that it was a
mature debate which demonstrated the concern of many MLAs about the current
farming situation. We all want to see a farming industry and Agri-Food sector
growing and developing over the next 10 years, but we recognise the short term
difficulties that we must address to ensure that these farm businesses
survive.”
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