Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson has accused the Sinn Fein Minister of Agriculture Michelle O’Neill of letting down farmers over the fallen animal’s scheme after it was confirmed to her that costs of collecting dead animals would be taken from any compensation which farmers may be eligible for. She has also slammed the Minister’s failure to enter into negotiations with collection and rendering firms to secure an 'economies of scale' price.
Mrs Dobson, The Ulster Unionist agriculture spokesperson, was making her comments following the first opportunity to directly question DARD officials at this week’s Agriculture Committee at Stormont.
She said: “I, on behalf of The Ulster Unionist Party called for the fallen animals scheme to be fully funded for those farmers hardest hit by the severe weather. Indeed, we were first to welcome the announcement that the scheme would be funded, however the Minister now tells us the cost for collection from farms will be taken out of the farmers’ hardship payments.
“Yet all this time the Minister has repeatedly referred to the collection scheme and hardship scheme as two separate measures.
"So the Minister expects farmers to accept a ‘limited hardship’ payment on the one hand and then hand a large proportion of it straight back to DARD on the other. They needn’t have bothered if they were going to act so shamefully.
“However, to make matters even worse for farmers, it was almost unbelievable that when I questioned DARD officials about the costs of all this they informed me that the ‘details had not yet been worked out.’
"Farmers are now left not knowing how much of their hardship payment will be reduced by to cover the cost of the collection scheme.
“Officials confirmed to me they didn't even bother to enter into negotiations with the collectors and renders aimed at securing a best price given the volumes of carcasses involved.
“They told me the ‘normal procurement process was set aside’ and that a ‘final price’ had never been discussed.
"Surely when the Minister made her announcement that the carcasses would be collected from farms she then knew full well that the cost would be borne by the farmers from their compensation.
"This then leaves the question why she did not direct her officials to secure an ‘economies of scale’ price, rather than merely signing a blank cheque to be later paid by farmers.
"This is simple economies which anyone who runs a business would know to do. It just goes to prove out of touch DARD are with market forces and the financial pressures which farmers face every single day."
Mrs Dobson concluded by urging any farmer who has been affected by the snow crisis and who has not yet contacted DARD to do so as a matter of urgency.
"Officials have confirmed to me that even if a neighbouring farmer who is outside the post code areas has been accepted into the scheme, others in the area still need to phone in to state their case.
"Don't wait until you think you have all of your animals accounted for, telephone now because DARD have said they want to bring the scheme gradually towards a close.