NI Agriculture Committee reconvened over issues in dairy sector
UUP MLA Jo-Anne Dobson and Edwin Poots of the DUP requested the reconvening of the agriculture committee The Chairman of the Committee, DUP MLA William Irwin, accepted the request shortly afterwards.
William Irwin, MLA with Diane Dodds, MEP, James Campbell Irish farmers Journal and Newly elected Chief Executive of Town of Monaghan Co-op Gabriel D'Arcy at the RUAS Winter Fair in December 2014.
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It is understood Thursday’s meeting will hear from dairy farmers and industry representatives about current issues facing the dairy sector in Northern Ireland.
Momentum for recalling the committee came from a meeting of around 50 dairy farmers at the farm of Jonny Matthews near Donaghcloney, Co. Down on Monday 27 July. Both Mrs Dobson and Mr Poots attended the meeting, as well as Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson.
In a statement Mrs Dobson said: “Our local dairy farmers have for some time been at breaking point and this morning we heard directly from them of the hardship they are facing.”
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“Farmers from all corners of Northern Ireland came to the Matthews farm this morning to discuss a crisis which, if left unaddressed, could force many out of the industry altogether.”
Commenting on the need for European Parliament and Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan to respond to his recent Dairy report in Europe, Mr Nicholson said: “The DARD and Defra Ministers also have a part to play, they must proactively press for the Commission to review the intervention price to assist the sector.”
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It is understood Thursday’s meeting will hear from dairy farmers and industry representatives about current issues facing the dairy sector in Northern Ireland.
Momentum for recalling the committee came from a meeting of around 50 dairy farmers at the farm of Jonny Matthews near Donaghcloney, Co. Down on Monday 27 July. Both Mrs Dobson and Mr Poots attended the meeting, as well as Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson.
In a statement Mrs Dobson said: “Our local dairy farmers have for some time been at breaking point and this morning we heard directly from them of the hardship they are facing.”
“Farmers from all corners of Northern Ireland came to the Matthews farm this morning to discuss a crisis which, if left unaddressed, could force many out of the industry altogether.”
Commenting on the need for European Parliament and Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan to respond to his recent Dairy report in Europe, Mr Nicholson said: “The DARD and Defra Ministers also have a part to play, they must proactively press for the Commission to review the intervention price to assist the sector.”
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