Ulster Unionist Agriculture Spokesperson Jo-Anne Dobson MLA has described as ‘unhelpful’ comments made by The Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to Northern Ireland. Mr Cameron described the 40% EU Budget allocation to direct agriculture subsidies as ‘unsustainable’.
“Surely, before comments are made regarding ‘unsustainable subsidies’ for farmers the Government should be taking decisive steps to deal with the totally unsustainable situation of farmers receiving below production prices for their produce.
“As farmers know, the single farm payment is by no means a blank cheque. The Prime Minister will be well aware that as a result of EU agriculture subsidies farmers are in return required to spend copious amounts of their time and money to comply with stringent and often criticised EU regulations. Regulations which are all too often ‘gold plated’ by an over bureaucratic DARD.
“Only last week we heard that the promised Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill being progressed through Westminster by the Coalition Government will be a complete missed opportunity to help our farmers.
“This is where Mr Cameron should be focusing his efforts before making comments about farm subsidy levels.
“For far too long now farmers, across the United Kingdom, but especially in Northern Ireland, have been calling for parity with processors and retailers when it comes to receiving a fair slice of the cake for their produce.
“Many had hoped that this Ombudsman would help in delivering the fair prices for all across the food supply chain for producers, processors and retailers. However last week at the Agriculture Committee meeting at Stormont I was told that it would be a ‘light touch’ organisation which would have less than ten staff.
“This is a far cry from the organisation which is needed to bring help to farmers and to stamp out unfair practices across the industry.
“The present situation being faced by our farmers is entirely unsustainable and makes the single farm payment which farmers receive all the more important for their farm businesses. The importance of the payment will remain until stability and profitability return for all elements of the agricultural industry in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom.”
“I am awaiting an reply to my letter to Vince Cable MP, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills regarding the Groceries Code Adjudicator and will continue to press for this body to be given the ability to deliver real help for our farmers.”