The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) says it is positive news that pig and poultry producers directly impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19), have started to receive support funding. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Edwin Poots announced today that almost £2million of COVID-19 support funding has been paid out to just over 100 pig and poultry producers.
UFU deputy president William Irvine said, “Our pig and poultry producers who suffered significant losses because of the impact COVID-19 had on their sector, will be glad to hear that much-need funding has started to be rolled out. The support package will help to cover a proportion of the losses incurred by pig producers over the past several months due to the sudden closure of Cranswick Country Foods in August 2020. It will also provide support to broiler breeders who suffered financially in 2020, following a decrease in demand for hatching eggs – particularly in international markets and interdependencies within the supply chain.”
Minister Poots highlighted that DAERA hope to issue the remaining £2million from this scheme within the next couple of weeks.
“This is a successful outcome for the UFU as we have been lobbying DAERA Minister Edwin Poots, on behalf of our members to gain necessary support for farming families since economic issues began to arise following the COVID-19 outbreak. Our members are grateful of the support given by the NI Executive during this difficult time,” said the UFU deputy president.
