Allister meets Commissioner Fischer Boel
20 January 2009
Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has today met with European Agriculture Commissioner, Mariann Fischer-Boel today in Brussels. Top of the agenda was export refunds, and the recent Commission proposal to introduce additional support measures to help the dairy sector.
The MEP commented,
"I thanked the Commissioner for proposing a range of support measures designed to help the EU dairy sector at this difficult time, including the re-introduction of export refunds, and enhanced scope for Intervention on a range of dairy products. Indeed, I welcome the fact that the Commissioner made specific reference to Northern Ireland producers as being among those worst affected by the current failings of the market, in her post-Council press conference on Monday. I might add that we have yet to see the extent of the refunds to be put in place -it is vitally important that these are sufficient to put a bottom in the market."
"I recognise that this is not yet a done deal, with support measures requiring the consent of EU Member States at Thursday's Management Committee meeting. In consequence, I have lobbied the UK Government very strongly, stressing the importance to the Northern Ireland dairy industry and wider economy of these measures going through. I have met with the UK Permanent Representation in Brussels on this issue, and have also written to the DEFRA Secretary of State, Hilary Benn."
"During my meeting with Commissioner Fischer-Boel, I also took the opportunity of stressing the need for a dairy package which would enable local processors to diversify their product range. Quite clearly, the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme in its current guise is insufficient to deal with the new challenges of the global market place. I understand the Commission is considering reallocating €0.5 bn of unspent CAP Funds towards this and other objectives, but by the time our share is allocated, it will be modest. Nonetheless, DARD should now be putting in place plans to exploit this opportunity to the full. In reality, the Northern Ireland Executive needs to be working up a substantial restructuring plan for our dairy sector, and then seeking maximum EU support."
