Dairy fund distribution leaves small producers out in the cold - Mick Bates AM (Oswestry Liberal Democrats)

Oswestry Liberal Democrats <info@oswestrylibdems.org.uk>

Dairy fund distribution leaves small producers out in the cold - Mick Bates AM

March 8, 2010 12:00 AM
Originally published by Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats

Following the announcement over the distribution of the EU Dairy Fund in Wales, Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has welcomed the proposals which will see swift payment to farmers but has urged the Minister Elin Jones to assess the impact on smaller producers under 50,000 litres who will receive no payments under the scheme.

In October 2009, the former Agriculture Commissioner Marianne Fischer-Boel announced a €300 million fund to assist the dairy industry, to be distributed by June 30th 2010, to provide support to dairy farmers severely affected by the dairy crisis on the basis of objective criteria and in a non-discriminatory way. Wales had been allocated just over €3.5 million of the €29.26 million awarded to the UK.

Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates states:

"I am delighted at this additional support for dairy farmers in Wales. I have long campaigned to see a fairer deal for Welsh farmers who receive a very poor return for their produce, as farmgate prices continue to be lowered by supermarkets eager to increase their profits at the expense of hard-working producers.

"I am pleased at the decision made to allocate the EU Dairy Fund which will see swift payments to farmers in Wales in line with other parts of the UK and will offer some welcome relief to dairy producers after a difficult year. However, I am concerned that no payments will be made to any producer whose production was less than 50,000 litres, which does not seem to be a fair way to distribute funds and will leave small producers out in the cold.

"I have written to the Minister Elin Jones to request an assessment of how many small dairy farmers will be affected by this provision and to ask what support will be given to them to ensure support is provided in a non-discriminatory way. The Minister must also look at long term options as while this additional money is welcome, we need a secure plan to improve farmgate prices to ensure a sustainable Welsh dairy industry for the future.

"Welsh Milk is amongst the best in the world and I believe that establishing a 'Fair Deal' brand of Welsh milk will offer producers a higher, stable price for their product. I have previously written to Prince Charles to request his support for a 'Fair Deal' brand of Welsh milk, to help promote a healthy Welsh product and ensure a fair and honest deal for the public and farming industry and will continue to campaign for this."

Ends/Diwedd