Joe Byrne SDLP MLA and vice
chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee voiced his concern over the
increasing strain on the dairy industry. Mr Byrne said:
“The time has come for the
Agriculture Minister to lead a delegation to Brussels on the current farming
crisis within the Dairy Milk Industry.
“For months the price of
farm gate milk has dropped to 24/25 pence per litre, about 3 pence below the
cost of production. This is causing big cash flow problems for many of our
dairy farmers. The Ukraine political turmoil which has resulted in the Russian
imports ban on EU food products has depressed milk and dairy produce prices on
the world market.
“EU action is now needed on
this matter with national and regional governments in order to deal with the
milk crisis as it affects farmers. Concerted action is needed, and indeed
direct intervention is now required with adequate financial resources to
stabilise the market. A private storage scheme of Intervention along with
export grants is needed over the next year in order to stabilise the milk
market across Europe.
''Dard must give a lead on
this issue and by some positive action signal to the farming community that the
Assembly and the Department of Agriculture are willing to fight for farmers in
London and Brussels.
“DARD indifference on the
plight of the dairy farmer is now in question on this issue. Dairy farmers and
the Agri sector need to see the Minister of Agriculture, Assembly and DARD
dealing with the poor farm gate prices as a current priority. They need to know
their interests are being protected at the highest level.''
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