"I was very pleased to be able to have discussions with both Dairy UK and the Ulster Farmers Union at this time of great challenge for our dairy farmers in Northern Ireland. It is clear that concerted action and the working together of political representatives and the industry will be required to help find a way forward.
Dairy farmers at the minute are facing some of the worst ever prices in real terms for their produce. There has been something of a ‘perfect storm’ which has developed with lower demand, higher production, the financial crisis and a general fall of commodity prices all feeding into the problems faced by milk producers here.
There must be short-term and long-term actions taken to stabilise the industry and help prepare for the future. The industry is agreed that export refunds are absolutely vital to provide some floor to the market and help give confidence to the market.
In the longer term also there needs to be continued investment in the processing sector to develop their product portfolios. Commodity products like milk powder will obviously continue to play a role but it is a mix of products in the market which will help to insulate our farmers from future fluctuations.
I was delighted to make arrangements to have a presentation to the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and am urgently corresponding with Commissioner Fischer Boal to have the necessary steps taken to assist in this crisis."
