Farm support scheme urgently needed - McAleer

Mr McAleer said: “At the AERA committee on Wednesday I made the case to Minister Poots that farm gate prices which were already on the decrease but have plummeted even further since the COVID crisis began due to the almost complete closure of restaurants and the wider food service sector.

“I underlined the crucial importance of ramping up the pressure on the EU and Westminster for a comprehensive support package but in the interim we must look at what we can do locally.

“Whilst I welcome the extension of the Self Employed Income Support Scheme to farmers, I highlighted the reality that cattle and sheep farmers would gain little or no benefit from this.

“According to DAERA stats the average income for cattle and sheep farmers (LFA and Lowland) is expected to plunge to approximately £10k, with many not even breaking even. With a £10k p.a. income, after 20% is deducted and then taxed, the farmer would be lucky to get £500-£600 per month under this scheme.

“Farmers are our primary producers of food and I am glad that the Minister recognises that a bespoke solution must be found for here and he will be raising this with the Executive and bring available funds from his own department to the table.

“However, time is of the essence. This needs to happen urgently before more farms go out of business.”