New Year Message on Agricultural issues by TUV MEP Jim Allister
01 January 2009
“2008 was a tough year for our vital agri-food industry. Quite apart from having to weather the general economic downturn, virtually every sector in agriculture has been buffeted. The exceptionally wet weather of August and into September and October in itself would have made this year one many farmers will be keen to forget.
The turbulence in the milk price has delivered us from boom to near bust, making the attainment of a floor in the market the top priority of the New Year. I will continue to pursue the Commission till the response is adequate.
Our pork industry suffered unnecessarily from the Republic’s dioxin contamination, making me more determined than ever to secure proper country of origin labelling. For the sake of our poultry industry 2009 must be a year of progress in putting in place the much-needed litter disposal energy project.
In truth the red meat sector has not had the attention and progress promised by the task force. DARD has allowed its proposals to stagnate. In 2009 we must tackle the disparity in price across the UK. Northern Ireland producers can’t afford to be the poor relations in the market place. As Brazil gears up to again try and increase its exports to the EU, I will remain vigilant to defend our sector from unfair competition. Though WTO is fading, those issues are still out there.
Now that oil prices have so dramatically fallen we must see the benefits fully passed on in fertiliser and commodity prices. The frustration and feedstuff price hike caused by tardy GMO approvals will continue to be something on which I will be pressing for action.
The exchange rate will also present both opportunities and challenges for our agri-food industry. While the weaker Sterling will mean added input costs, particularly in relation to imported feed, undoubtedly the more competitive exchange rate will offer new scope for our agri-food industry to become more export focused. I trust the benefits of being more competitive on the World market will work its way through the entire supply chain.
I have no doubt 2009 will be as challenging as any for the sector, but together, we must work to meet those challenges, and keep competitive our primary industry in Northern Ireland.
My pledge is to continue to fight tenaciously in Brussels for our farming interests.
I wish all a prosperous and successful year.”
