Dairy programme delivers £6.75m in sales

A three-year dairy export programme, taken forward by the Dairy Council for NI (DCNI), and 50% funded by the EU has already delivered £6.75m in sales, far exceeding the target of £2.3m set for the entire programme.

The aim of the programme, which started in 2015, is to support NI dairy sales across southeast Asia and the Middle East. It involves bringing buyers to NI to see at first hand the local dairy supply chain. Over the first two years of the programme, 44 buyers from nine countries have come to NI.

The programme received approval in 2014, and potentially can draw down up to €312,613 from the EU, to be match-funded by DCNI. The level of sales generated to date therefore represents a return on the year one and year two budgets of 16:1 on the total investment, and 32:1 on DCNI investment.

Commenting, Dr Mike Johnston, the chief executive of the Dairy Council for NI, said: “This programme is about helping NI dairy companies to identify new customers in the target regions and to do business with them. Year two again exceeded all expectations and that it did so in the midst of very difficult trading conditions is particularly commendable; with a year to run in the current programme the sales secured represent a tremendous achievement.”

DAERA reminds farmers to destroy noxious weeds now

DAERA has issued its annual advice reminding farmers to destroy noxious weeds before they have had time to flower, seed and spread.

Under the Noxious Weeds (NI) Order 1977, ragwort, creeping thistle, spear thistle, broad leafed docks, curled leafed docks and wild oats are defined as noxious weeds.

The Department has the power to insist that these weeds are destroyed under notice.

Prosecution

Failure to comply could result in prosecution for a farmer and/or a Basic Payment Scheme penalty.