Allister angry that Northern Ireland beef producers set to lose out
02 August 2005
Jim Allister MEP has expressed his anger that beef producers in the Republic of Ireland are likely to get a better deal than producers in Northern Ireland. Mr Allister was commenting on the deal reached in Brussels regarding the scale of the Beef Special Premium scale-back. Jim Allister has called on DARD to support the Northern Ireland beef industry at a time when they are under significant financial pressure.
Mr Allister commented “The deal reached regarding the BSP scale back is likely to offer beef producers in the Republic of Ireland a significantly better deal compared to what is going to be offered to beef farmers within Northern Ireland. In the recent deal, the beef industry within the Republic of Ireland is going to receive an additional €17.5 million (£12 million) to compensate against their scale back. Approximately £5.9 million of this compensation is coming directly from Brussels. Beef producers within Northern Ireland will however receive less than £1 million of additional funds direct from Brussels to compensate against the large scale back here.
“Beef finishers within Northern Ireland imported significantly more animals from the Republic of Ireland in 2004 compared to other years. By doing this, we have also helped to lessen the scale back for producers in the Republic. It is vital that significant match funding is found by DARD to help compensate against the scale back.”
