£25m package for beef and dairy

Farming Minister Edwin Poots has described the additional financial support from the Executive’s Department of Finance as a lifeline to many businesses.

However, in today’s Farming Life the Mid Tyrone Lamb Producer Group have included an open letter to the minister asking him to include sheep producers in the package.

They say the hill farmer has been particularly struck by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic with the reduced demand and knock on effect on prices - see page six for the full letter.

Speaking after the announcement on Tuesday by Minister Conor Murphy, Mr Poots said: “I have repeatedly and publicly made the case for our beef and dairy sectors, knowing just how challenging this period has been for them.

“This cash injection is the most generous allocation made by any UK or EU administration for the agriculture sector during the Coronavirus emergency and reflects the deep and complex challenges the industry faces.

“We know that with falling demand and prices for beef and dairy products, many farm businesses have been amongst the hardest hit, so the funding I have secured will certainly go some way towards helping the sectors. This will be a lifeline for many businesses and reflects the Executive’s commitment to supporting the sectors.”

The Minister continued: “I have vowed to do all I can to support the agriculture industry during these very difficult times.

“Therefore I have also asked my officials to identify any further potential additional funding from within my own Department to enhance this current allocation and provide support for these struggling businesses.”

He said the pandemic has also caused issues for the horticulture sector here. Commenting the Minister said: “Northern Ireland’s horticulture industry sells more than £25 million of products each year and many growers have had to dispose of unsalable products.

“The recent re-opening of garden centres has however, given the industry a much needed boost and will go some way towards helping the sector recoup some of its loses.

“I will monitor the impacts of Covid-19 on the horticulture sector over the next few weeks to assess the level of financial support required.”

UFU president Ivor Ferguson said: “Our farmers will be glad to hear that £25m has been allocated to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry.

“This is a successful outcome for the UFU as we have been lobbying DAERA Minister Edwin Poots, on behalf of our members to gain support for farming families since the COVID-19 outbreak began and are pleased that he has taken our requests on board. Minister Poots has displayed a strong understanding for the needs of our farmers at this difficult time and now we urge DAERA to try and seek extra funding for our farmers.

“We would also ask DAERA to get discussions with industry stakeholders underway as soon as possible. This is vital as DAERA is responsible for allocating the support appropriately between agriculture commodities ensuring that individual farm businesses in Northern Ireland can benefit from this package.”

Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer has said the additional £25m announced by Finance Minister Conor Murphy will be welcomed in rural communities.

Declan McAleer said: “Farmers and those involved in horticulture have been particularly badly hit by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and many businesses are struggling.

“This funding will go some way to helping to address the problems the pandemic has created for the sector.

“It is important this money goes to those who need it most at this difficult time and I will be making that clear to the Agriculture Minister and departmental officials so that the full benefit of this significant funding announcement can be felt where it matters most.”

Newry & Armagh DUP Assemblyman William Irwin MLA has commended the Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA on efforts to secure a support package for Agriculture in Northern Ireland.

Mr Irwin said that farmers would be grateful for the support package and whilst it may not be as comprehensive as he may have hoped for, it would be of help to those sectors most affected by the crisis.

He stated: “The Minister has certainly been a leader in this crisis and has stepped up to try and make a difference and put forward the concerns of the industry within the Stormont Executive in order to bring forward a support package of measures.

“These measures will be of assistance to the sectors who have been most affected by the current crisis across the agri-food production industry and that must be welcomed at this time.”

He concluded: “Edwin has shown that he is taking on board the concerns of the industry and is responding with practical assistance.

“This is an important aspect in ensuring that agri-food production continues and our farmers are supported where possible.”