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Mr Robin Swann, a leading North Antrim Ulster Unionist, has issued a challenged to both the Department of Agriculture and the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) to boost Ulster ’s farming sector by working more closely together in support of local producers.
Continue Reading E-mail April 3rd, 2008 Alex Benjamin
The European Union should lead by example and ensure an end to all live animal transport over long distances, Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson said today.
His call comes as a new global campaign is launched to end the appalling conditions thousands of animals face when transported long distances to slaughter.
The Handle With Care coalition - the RSPCA, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) and the International League for the Protection of Horses – is using undercover footage to highlight journeys that can cover thousands of miles by road and sea, including sheep transported from Australia to the Middle East, cattle from Brazil to Lebanon, horses from Spain to Italy and pigs from Canada to Hawaii.
Following pressure from MEPs and Compassion in World Farming’s ‘Stop the Bull Ship’ campaign in 2005, the European Commission announced an end to export refund subsidies for live cattle exports to the Middle East. In a statement Mr Nicholson said,
“European Union taxpayers are no longer unwittingly subsidising the unnecessary export of live animals over long distances, but the practice is still occurring far too often both inside and outside of Europe.
“This trade is not only cruel, but journeys of this distance are completely unnecessary. Slaughter should be carried out as locally as possible and meat transported on the hook, rather than on the hoof.
“It’s time we ended the outdated and totally needless suffering. I will continue to push the European Commission to lead by example and ensure all unnecessary long-distance animal transportation is ceased and that all European countries adhere to legislation already in place.”
Continue Reading E-mail February 12th, 2008 Alex Benjamin
Mid Ulster Assemblyman Billy Armstrong has described as “visionary” the plan by two of Northern Ireland’s largest poultry producers to build a £100m biomass power station to produce energy from waste, in this case, chicken litter, at a site near Glenavy in County Antrim.
Continue Reading E-mail January 11th, 2008 Alex Benjamin
Commenting on the outcome of this weeks Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels where European fisheries Ministers gathered to set the total allowable catches and quotas for the industry in 2008, Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson, who is a member of the European Parliament ‘s fisheries committee, said,
“As I have said on a number of occasions before I have witnessed this damaging process take place now for a number of years and there is no doubt in my mind that the result for Northern Ireland’s fishing industry gets worse as each year passes.
“This deal is yet another body blow for the local fishing industry in Northern Ireland with significant reductions in the number of days fishermen can spend at sea. The conclusions will please no –one.
“What I want to see happen is a fundamental change to the way these negotiations take place. The annual spectacle of last minute negotiations must end.
“I have a number of criticisms of the Common Fisheries Policy but discards has to be the craziest of all. The European Commission must end the discards madness and allow fishermen to land everything they catch.
“We need action taken now to ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry in Northern Ireland or it could easily follow the textile and other well known local industries into obscurity.”
Continue Reading E-mail December 20th, 2007 Jim Nicholson MEP
In a statement today a spokesman for the Ulster Unionist Party commented ahead of the Council meeting tomorrow night in Banbridge that seeks to replace the out-going UUP Councillor Tyrone Howe.
The spokesman said,
Tyrone Howe has acted appropriately and has shown the respect for the office of Councillor that it deserves. By his own admission he felt that he could not devote the time and energy necessary to properly fulfil the function. In stepping down he has acted honourably and sensibly.
The people of Dromore want to see a local person, who is easy to get the hold off and focused on Dromore elected. That person is Carol Black who was selected by the UUP to go for the seat on Saturday 15 December. Mrs. Black is a mother of two who is in her mid 40’s and has lived in Dromore for 17 years. Her children have attended both Dromore Central Primary School and Dromore High School.
The DUP have suggested that if the UUP does not select their preferred choice of replacement for Mr Howe then they would not suggest a co-option but may challenge us in a by-election. It is an utterly ridiculous proposition for a rival political party to be suggesting what candidates another political party should run.
A co-option would be the normal course of events when a member resigns and that is what the UUP believes should happen at the Banbridge Council meeting tomorrow night. There is no need for a by election that would cost the rate payers £25,000 and is asking the voters to come out in the middle of winter. But if it comes to it the UUP is prepared and ready to fight one.”
Continue Reading E-mail December 18th, 2007 Press Office
Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has today called for the creation of a framework that would promote a fair relationship between producers, processors and the supermarket chains.
Mr Nicholson was speaking after it was revealed that Sainsbury’s, ASDA and a number of diary processors have been fined a total of £116 million by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) after being found guilty of fixing the prices of milk, butter and cheese.
In a statement Mr Nicholson said,
“For a long time there has been an undeniable need for the producer to receive a fairer reward for his produce and I believe that a way of doing this is to create a regulatory framework that would promote a fair relationship between producers, processors and the supermarket chains.
“I see something inherently wrong with a market that repeatedly shows falling returns to farmers but consistently shows rising returns to processors and retailers. I am glad to see these types of practices are now being highlighted. Price fixing benefits no – one except the giant supermarket chains. Both the consumer and the farmer lose out.”
Continue Reading E-mail December 10th, 2007 Jim Nicholson MEP
Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has called on the Regional Development Minister to implement traffic measures which will boost tourism in the Glens villages of Waterfoot, Cushendall and Cushendun.
Assemblyman Dr Coulter added: “It is important we have the opportunity to air these important points in the presence of the Regional Development Minister and he needs to visit the area to see the situation for himself.
“There are three areas that should be considered. First, there is tourism. As representatives for North Antrim, we are doing our level best to encourage tourists to visit that beautiful area. It is almost impossible, especially during the summer, for traffic to get through some of these villages.
“Considering the coaches that are now being used, and the number of people who arrive to see the beauty of that lovely route along the coast, it is important to take this issue seriously and to ensure that there is a free flow of traffic through those villages during the summer.
“It is not simply a question of traffic management; it is important to provide areas in which people can park their cars. If we are to increase tourism, this issue must be taken seriously, progressed and examined in its entirety to ensure that those who are breaking the traffic laws are brought to book.
“Secondly, the economics of the area must be considered. People who drive along that route to see the beauty of the road may wish to stop for a meal at one of the hotels. However, because of the traffic problems and congestion, they may turn off to the left to find somewhere else where they can enjoy their meal without worrying about the traffic.
“In connection with the economic issue, people who own shops and businesses, and especially the farming community — who come to the area for the market and to exchange their goods — must also be considered. How on earth are those people supposed to conduct their business if illegal parking on both sides of the road is allowed to continue?
“Thirdly, this problem should not be considered only from the point of view of the three villages to which reference has been made. The issue needs to be addressed with reference to the road from Belfast right through to Ballycastle. When that is taken into account, it will be seen in the context of something far greater.
“I ask the Minister for Regional Development to take on board the fact that regulations have been put in place, but that no follow-up action has been taken, which has led to the continuation of old bad habits.
“I am sure that if the issue is taken seriously, those habits will eventually be broken, because when people are hit in their pockets, they are hit in the most tender part,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.
Continue Reading E-mail December 8th, 2007 Rev. Dr. Robert Coulter MLA
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliott has said that the Draft budget allocation to the Department of Agriculture is going to make 2008 a very hard year for the industry.
The deputy-chair of the agricultural committee said: “Following discussions concerning the amount of money needed to finance the Department of Agriculture, a bid was tabled with the Department of Finance and Personnel for approximately 32 million pounds for resource funding in the coming year. What the department have been allocated is 14.6 million pounds, 17.3 million pounds or almost 60% less than bid for. This fact means that 2008 is not looking great for the agricultural industry and that we have to work extra hard to try and promote our sector because of the lack of funding.”
Figures released showing the bids by the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Finance and Personnel for the next 3 years note that while 2008 is set to be a lean year in terms of funding for the sector, the following years in 2009 and 2010 the situation should improve. Draft proposals indicate that in 2009 the proposed amount given to the industry for resource funding will increase to 25 million pounds and in 2010 rise once again to 37.7 million pounds. However, while Mr Elliott looks forward to these increases he is keeping his mind firmly concentrated on the current situation.
The Ulster Unionist MLA went on to state: “I am happy to see that there will be increases in money made available in the coming years. However, away from the dreams for 2009 and 2010 there is very serious matter arriving over the coming months. The money that has been allocated for 2008 is not even enough to cover the ‘Inescapable Bids’, things that are vital to the maintenance of the sector, and so there will definitely be losses in parts of the industry and a number of families will suffer because of this.
“The amount needed for the ‘Inescapable Bids’ was just over 18 million pounds. The 14.6 million pounds made available comes nowhere close to meeting that. As this is a draft budget I would encourage this Minister for Finance and Personnel, Peter Robinson, to rethink the amount stipulated for the Department of Agriculture this coming year. Agriculture remains one of the largest areas of employment in Northern Ireland and so for it not even to have enough money allocated to maintain a basic standard of upkeep is a recipe for disaster.”
Continue Reading E-mail December 7th, 2007 Tom Elliott MLA
Ulster Unionist party Agricultural spokesperson, Tom Elliott MLA for Fermanagh & South Tyrone has welcomed the decision by European Agricultural Commissioner, Marian Fischer Boel to take steps to introduce export refunds for pig meat carcases, cuts and bellies as a response to the difficult market situation at present.
Tom said: “This is a welcome step and most timely in view of the fact that producer prices fell a further 2p/kg this week and will aid the beleaguered pig industry in Northern Ireland. Pigmeat production costs have risen dramatically over the past few months, primarily due to huge increase in feed costs. At the same time producer prices have already decreased dramatically and the current position is simply unsustainable.
Although the Commissioner had introduced Aids to Private storage for 100,000 tonnes of pigmeat in October 2007 the crisis has deepened, as this measure has not stabilised prices and it appears insufficient to remedy the difficulties faced by European pig producers. The introduction of export refunds for carcases, cuts and bellies is a very welcome move and should bring some relief.
Private Storage is not the solution, as the result of this is to push the blockage further down the pipe whilst the availability of export refunds would provide an immediate boost with regard to business opportunities for local processors in countries such as Japan and the United States. Under the proposals, refunds would be payable for exports to all destinations as well as on the Private Storage Aid scheme set up last month. This should assist NI producers due to the fact that only 25% of our pig output ends up in local retail outlets and the remainder is exported.”
Continue Reading E-mail November 29th, 2007 Tom Elliott MLA
Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott was “delighted” at the decision of the DARD committee to meet in Fermanagh on Thursday following his request to the members. It was the first time the committee had met outside of Stormont during this session of the Assembly and Mr Elliott was keen to show the committee just what the situation is like in rural areas outside of Belfast.
The deputy chair of the DARD committee said: “For quite some time I had thought that the committee should get out into the countryside to see what things are really like. That is why I made the request for the meeting to take place in Enniskillen. You do not get much more rural than in our constituency and as a farmer I know the problems faced by many right across the agricultural industry. Since not all the farming community can go to the committee, I thought I would encourage the committee to come to them in an act of solidarity and with the aim of encouraging local farmers.”
During their time in the constituency the members of the committee visited the CAFRE Campus at Enniskillen Agricultural College and the DARD Direct offices in Inishkeen House. The committee then returned to the collage in the afternoon to hold their meeting. Mr Elliott was hopeful that the visit will help the committee get a sense of just how much work needs to be done to promote the industry.
The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA went on to say: “As we held our meeting in the Agricultural college it is only right that we think about the future facing the students in that farming institution and others across the United Kingdom. We as a committee, along with the Minister and her department, need to work hard now to secure a future for the industry and for our children’s future, some of whom may want to work in agriculture.
“I will be working strenuously, along with my committee colleagues, to encourage growth in our industry over the coming months and ease the stress felt by many agricultural workers across Northern Ireland. I feel very strongly about the needs of the agricultural community because I am one of them, and I will make sure their views are expressed in the committee and to the minister as we push to re-energise our sector.”
Continue Reading E-mail November 29th, 2007 Tom Elliott MLA
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