MEP leads dairy industry delegation to Europe
01 September 2006
Jim Allister MEP is leading a dairy industry delegation to Europe to meet with the EU Agricultural Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel. The delegation will include representatives from United Dairy Farmers, Dairy UK and the Ulster Farmers’ Union.
Jim Allister commented, “We are now seeing the effects of the continued cuts on dairy support impact on prices being paid for milk to dairy farmers within Northern Ireland. Over the last 2 years the European support for dairy products has fallen by approximately 4ppl. The dairy industry is aware that milk needs to be processed into new products due to the changes in support within Europe. The industry cannot however be expected to invest in new processing equipment and develop new markets over a very short space of time. It is vital that the industry is given both time and financial aid to help adapt.
“In the meeting with the Commissioner we will be calling for immediate relief for exporters through increased export refunds. With the collapse in WTO discussions and adverse currency and market movements we believe that this should be possible.”
