Both Ministers decided to take this proactive approach, prior to yesterday’s EU Dairy Management Committee meeting.
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew, said: “Following the October milk auction I immediately spoke to Hilary Benn about the seriousness of our situation. Then in a joint letter Arlene Foster and I pressed the case for the local dairy industry and made clear our view that Britain should be taking the initiative within the EU by requesting the early re-introduction of export refunds. I am very disappointed to learn that there was no movement on re-introducing export refunds at yesterday’s EU Dairy Management Committee meeting.
“The dairy sector is one of the most important sectors of our agricultural industry. However it is more heavily reliant on the export of milk powders than Britain and so the collapse of confidence in world markets and returns for exports is having a disproportionate impact on local producers and processors compared to the situation in Britain. Prices at the November United Dairy Farmers’ milk auction continue to demonstrate the downward pressure on producers. In view of this, Arlene Foster and I intend to make a joint approach to Commissioner Fischer Boel to discuss the issue of export refunds. It is vital that our circumstances are taken fully into account.”
Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster said: “The dairy industry is a very important part of the Northern Ireland economy, securing over £690million of sales annually and employing over 2,000 people, however it is not isolated from the current difficult global trading conditions that exist.
“I want to ensure that the dairy sector is given the necessary support it requires during the challenging economic climate in which it operates and I have called on Hilary Benn to support the early re-introduction of export refunds.”
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