‘I want to see milk processed here. I want the jobs to be here,’ says Poots

Minister Poots answering question during last Monday’s Assembly Oral Question Time

The matter was raised by Mr Mark Durkan (SDLP, Foyle) during Assembly Oral Question Time when Mr Durkan had asked the minister to outline what discussions have taken place regarding the continuing export of milk to the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Poots replied: “During preparations for the UK’s exit from the EU, my department’s regular, routine engagement, which includes conference calls, emails and meetings, continued at a technical level with the dairy industry, DEFRA and DAFM.

“During the transition period following the UK’s exit from the EU, the export of raw milk from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland continues as previously.

“After the transition period, under the Northern Ireland protocol, raw milk will still be able to be exported to the Republic of Ireland without tariffs or additional checks.”

Mr Durkan added that export of milk to the Republic was “ an issue of huge concern to dairy farmers”.

He further asked: “Is the minister in a position to give them any reassurance or confidence that he has had negotiations with the host country and that it will continue to accept bulk imports?”

The minister replied: “I will be perfectly honest: I  do not want to see the milk processed in the Republic of Ireland; I want to see it processed here. I want the jobs to be here.

“I want to see milk plants in Artigarvan, which is not far from the member’s constituency, actually upping the amount of milk that is processed there.”

Mr Poots continued: “Too many large conglomerates have moved in, bought up milk plants in Northern Ireland, closed them down, taken all of the stuff south of the border and pay the milk farmers far too little for the good product that they produce.

“Milk farmers are not making money, as things stand, because we have two or three big conglomerates taking the milk off them and taking it down south.

Mr Poots concluded: “The conglomerates and the supermarkets are doing very well; meanwhile, the farmers struggle.”