Gildernew reacts to price drop at milk auction

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has voiced concern at the sharp drop in milk prices at today’s United Dairy Farmers milk auction.

Responding to the news that the average price has fallen by seven pence per litre compared with the September auction, the Minister said: “ This is a very worrying development and I know that dairy farmers will be extremely anxious, particularly given current high input costs.”

Speaking today with the Department for the Environment Farming and Rural Affairs Minister, Hilary Benn, on the CAP Health Check, the Minister highlighted this worrying development:

Michelle Gildernew said: “I took the opportunity to ask the Minister to support the reintroduction of export refunds for dairy products, particularly given the dependence of our local dairy sector on dairy commodities. Clearly, we need to try and help the industry through what has now become a very difficult market and we must do everything that we can to persuade the EU Commission to use all instruments at its disposal.”

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