An Ulster Unionist Delegation met with Minister Michelle O'Neill to discuss a wide range of issues facing all the sectors of the agricultural industry, and in particular the ongoing crisis in the dairy market. Jim Nicholson MEP, Tom Elliott MP, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA and Cllr Rosemary Barton all expressed huge concern to the Minister, and questioned what proactive steps she was taking in order the ease the strain on the agricultural sector.

Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Tom Elliott commented after the meeting: "It was a frank meeting with Minister O'Neill. I relayed a number of concerns that I have in regards of the ongoing crisis in the agricultural sector.

I pressed the Minister on what discussions she has had with the banks in regards of flexibility for farmers, especially with current state of the market place. I also put it to the Minister that discussions with the Inland Revenue should commence in order for further flexibility in the current crisis.

“The Minister did note that Single Farm Payments on the 1st December was a priority for her, and her department. This priority needs to become a reality.

“The firm focus of the Minister was on increasing the intervention of milk prices by the European Commission. However, as was agreed, this is not solely a dairy crisis, but affects all of the agricultural sector.”

In relation to the dairy sector Ulster Unionist Member of The European Parliament, Jim Nicholson, drew parallels to the crisis of 2008/9.

Jim commented: "This is almost a replication of what happened in 2008/09, and what nearly happened in 2012/3. However, it seems as if no lessons have been learnt. The European Commission are jumping from crisis to crisis, which is to the detriment of farmers in Northern Ireland. The inaction of the Commission and particularly their refusal to review intervention prices will prolong this into a long term crisis.”

Assembly member for Upper Bann and Ulster Unionist Agriculture Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson, raised concerns about the mental health implications the crisis is having on farmers in Northern Ireland.

Jo-Anne commented: "This crisis is causing huge financial difficulties, which in turn is having negative connotations to the mental well-being of many farmers. It is imperative that action is taken to resolve this crisis, sooner rather than later.

"It is not just enough to speak about what could be done to resolve this crisis, but proactive steps need to be taken in order to reduce the strain that the agricultural sector, as a whole, is under.”