Allister in showdown on Export Refunds
10 November 2008
Ulster MEP Jim Allister will lead a delegation from the Northern Ireland dairy industry, to meet with European Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel in Brussels on Tuesday. Top of the agenda will be the re-introduction of dairy export refunds, and assistance for the dairy industry.
The MEP commented:
“Last month’s auction results reflect just how dire the world market for dairy products is. It is my intention to leave the Commission under no illusion that export refunds are indeed necessary to avoid meltdown within the industry in the coming months.”
“The second part of my message will be that our industry requires a significant amount of additional funding in order to secure its long term competitiveness, in what is becoming an increasingly volatile marketplace. The issue of funding was highlighted in the recent EU Taskforce Report. I am conscious that local dairy farmers will be anxious for a successful outcome from tomorrow’s meeting.”
ENDS
