The Ulster Farmers’ Union has welcomed the release of Northern Ireland’s share of additional EU funding, which is worth £3.8 million to local dairy farmers. UFU Deputy President John Thompson said the package agreed by the EU was aimed at assisting all European dairy farmers who suffered with low farmgate milk prices and rising costs of production. He also said the funding would go a small way to recouping the losses which dairy producers had endured when milk prices crashed, particularly during 2009.
A payment will be made to producers of 0.2 pence per litre based on milk produced from 1 October 2008 to 30 September 2009. Mr Thompson stated; “I am pleased that the Minister has listened to the consultation process and has made a decision which fairly allocates the funding across all producers.”
UFU Dairy Policy Chairman, William Cromie comments; “When the UFU called for the release of the Emergency Fund in December, we stressed that not only should the fund be allocated to active farmers based on production, but it should be done with the minimum of administrative burden. As far as October 2008 to September 2009 is concerned, the UFU endorses this reference period as this was the period when milk producers were hit hardest by rock-bottom milk prices.”
“The payment will be made through the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) before the end of June and the UFU is calling on the RPA to ensure that the payments are making as quickly and efficiently as possible.”