A meeting of over 50 dairy farmers which took place in Donaghcloney on Monday morning has resulted in the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee being recalled to discuss the crisis in the local dairy industry.
The meeting organised by dairy farmer Jonny Matthews following contact with Ulster Unionist Agriculture spokesperson and local MLA Jo-Anne Dobson was addressed by Mrs Dobson and Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson.
Commenting following the meeting Mrs Dobson said: “Our local dairy farmers have for some time been at breaking point and this morning we heard directly from them of the hardship they are facing.
“Recalling the Assembly Agriculture Committee this Thursday afternoon is an important step in allowing the voice of farmers to be heard by Government.
“Farmers from all corners of Northern Ireland came to the Matthews farm this morning to discuss a crisis which, if left unaddressed, could force many out of the industry altogether. Farmers cannot be expected to continue to receive below production prices for their produce.
A meeting of over 50 dairy farmers which took place in Donaghcloney on Monday morning has resulted in the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee being recalled to discuss the crisis in the local dairy industry.
The meeting organised by dairy farmer Jonny Matthews following contact with Ulster Unionist Agriculture spokesperson and local MLA Jo-Anne Dobson was addressed by Mrs Dobson and Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson.
Commenting following the meeting Mrs Dobson said: “Our local dairy farmers have for some time been at breaking point and this morning we heard directly from them of the hardship they are facing.
“Recalling the Assembly Agriculture Committee this Thursday afternoon is an important step in allowing the voice of farmers to be heard by Government.
“Farmers from all corners of Northern Ireland came to the Matthews farm this morning to discuss a crisis which, if left unaddressed, could force many out of the industry altogether. Farmers cannot be expected to continue to receive below production prices for their produce.
“We heard the very real concerns that farmers feel ignored by a Minister and Department who are fixated on Going for Growth and relocating their headquarters to Ballykelly whilst farmers are left to struggle on alone.
“Farming is a family business where the boardroom is the farming kitchen, with three or even four generations involved. We need to fight for the future of agriculture in Northern Ireland if the industry is to survive. The very real fear is that without help farming families will go to the wall which will affect entire rural communities from the supplies merchant to the corner shop."
Also commenting Jim Nicholson MEP: “I commend young Jonny for his initiative in contacting Jo-Anne to set up this meeting and was delighted to address a meeting so well attended and which gave everyone the opportunity to contribute.
“We met in a working farmyard which is where dairy farmers spend the majority of their time but I believe it is indicative of the feeling in the industry that so many travelled so far to be part of the mass meeting.
“I recently submitted my Dairy report in Europe which received overwhelming support from fellow MEPs but it’s now over to Commissioner Hogan and the European Commission to respond. I have placed the facts affecting our farmers infront of them and they must act sooner rather than later. The DARD and Defra Ministers also have a part to play, they must proactively press for the Commission to review the intervention price to assist the sector.”
In conclusion Mrs Dobson said: “I was delighted that my fellow Agriculture Committee Member Edwin Poots MLA was able to join us at the meeting and collectively we agreed to submit a request to the Committee Chairman to recall the Committee from Summer Recess.
“The agreement of the Chairman is an important step and I look forward to Thursday’s meeting where the Committee will hear directly from dairy farmers and industry representatives.
“Jim Nicholson has worked so hard in Europe on behalf of our local Dairy farmers to impress upon the Commission the very real hardship they are facing. Dairy farmers and their families across Northern Ireland deserve our help and support but also need to know that there is hope for a brighter future of safe, profitable and sustainable farming. “We heard the very real concerns that farmers feel ignored by a Minister and Department who are fixated on Going for Growth and relocating their headquarters to Ballykelly whilst farmers are left to struggle on alone.
“Farming is a family business where the boardroom is the farming kitchen, with three or even four generations involved. We need to fight for the future of agriculture in Northern Ireland if the industry is to survive. The very real fear is that without help farming families will go to the wall which will affect entire rural communities from the supplies merchant to the corner shop.”
Also commenting Jim Nicholson MEP: “I commend young Jonny for his initiative in contacting Jo-Anne to set up this meeting and was delighted to address a meeting so well attended and which gave everyone the opportunity to contribute.
“We met in a working farmyard which is where dairy farmers spend the majority of their time but I believe it is indicative of the feeling in the industry that so many travelled so far to be part of the mass meeting.
“I recently submitted my Dairy report in Europe which received overwhelming support from fellow MEPs but it’s now over to Commissioner Hogan and the European Commission to respond. I have placed the facts affecting our farmers infront of them and they must act sooner rather than later. The DARD and Defra Ministers also have a part to play, they must proactively press for the Commission to review the intervention price to assist the sector.”
In conclusion Mrs Dobson said: “I was delighted that my fellow Agriculture Committee Member Edwin Poots MLA was able to join us at the meeting and collectively we agreed to submit a request to the Committee Chairman to recall the Committee from Summer Recess.
“The agreement of the Chairman is an important step and I look forward to Thursday’s meeting where the Committee will hear directly from dairy farmers and industry representatives.
“Jim Nicholson has worked so hard in Europe on behalf of our local Dairy farmers to impress upon the Commission the very real hardship they are facing. Dairy farmers and their families across Northern Ireland deserve our help and support but also need to know that there is hope for a brighter future of safe, profitable and sustainable farming.”
