European Parliament set to discuss rising feed prices, says Nicholson
Ulster Unionist Member of the European Parliament, Jim Nicholson MEP has along with other colleagues in the European Parliament tabled a motion for resolution in the European Parliament on rising animal feed prices.
Mr Nicholson has expressed serious concern in recent months about rising animal feed prices and the impact it is having on some parts of the agricultural industry in Northern Ireland. The motion will be debated next Tuesday in the European Parliament.
In a statement Mr Nicholson said,
“In recent months rising animal feed prices have had a devastating impact on many farmers. The world grain supply has been affected by severe weather conditions, notably droughts and floods in parts of Europe and severe droughts in Australia. Australia, for example, is experiencing its worst drought since records began in 1900.
“Alongside this is the increase in use of grain for biofuels and an increase in consumption in South East Asia. These events have caused a sharp rise in the global price of grain.
“Retail food prices have not kept up with the cost of living and farmgate prices have failed to keep with retail prices. Consumers are also the victims of the market instability and the increasing prices for food giving the mistaken impression that it is the farmers who are responsible. Farmers can not continue to absorb rising costs any longer.
“Europe must address concerns about food insecurity in a meaningful way and as part of the CAP Health Check undertake an in-depth analysis of world market trends, including the increased demand for food in developing countries, in order to consider, as part of the CAP Health Check, the creation of permanent mechanisms to guarantee an adequate market supply in the future.”