Local "Health Check" Debate Welcomed -Allister
17 October 2007
Speaking after attending Dairy UK’s seminar in Greenmount this week on the future of the CAP, Jim Allister QC MEP says he welcomes the opportunity for local debate on the issue.
Mr Allister said,
“With discussions on the CAP Health Check gathering pace in Brussels, I was keen to hear at first hand the thoughts of some of the local industry’s major players.”
“While milk prices are favourable at present, it is clear from the seminar that Northern Ireland farmers and processors require a greater level of predictability from the marketplace going forward. Useful discussions were had around the likely impact for Northern Ireland dairying should the milk quota regime be phased out by 2015.”
“It is my own view that the Health Check, whatever form it eventually takes must avoid a boom and bust market profile, which would prove extremely damaging for the long term future of the industry locally. The Commission would be short sighted to do away with market support measures, as these may well prove a vital lifeline in the event of a downturn in the future”.
“It is imperative that the current upturn in milk prices does not lead to blinkered EU policymaking, which overlooks the need to safeguard production.”
ENDS
