Rise in Animal Feed Prices has potential to put more and more farmers out of Business says Nicholson
UUP MEP Jim Nicholson said today that the continuing rise in animal feed prices has the ability to put more and more farmers out of business in Northern Ireland.
In a statement Mr Nicholson said,
“Quite clearly the spiralling prices for animal feed, being driven by the world market, mean that farmers should see an increase in the price received for what they produce and as we approach the winter this will become even more of an issue. Not only was last year a disaster but the incoming winter looks no better as returns from the market are abysmal.
“Last week the European Commission’s report into the medium term prospects for agricultural markets and income highlighted the likely decline in beef production within the EU and cited an increase in animal feed prices as being partly responsible for the likely decline. This sector can not continue to absorb the increased costs and survive.
“It is my intention to raise the issue at the earliest opportunity when the European Parliament returns in September. It must be highlighted at a European level because Europe is going to make the problem even worse by their attitude to GMO produced grain and the demand for zero tolerance, which probably will result in even more increases in the months ahead.
“My fear is that if there is not a significant increase to the farmer for what he produces and if the supermarkets do not support the local economy by buying local produce rather that the cheaper, inferior imported products, farmers will quit producing and while the consumers will have short term cheap food the long term implications will be disastrous.”