Pressure growing on local farmers

Pressure growing on local farmers

5 August 2015

FEARS are growing that the continuing crisis in the agriculture industry could force some local farmers to the wall.

Falling prices across the dairy, wheat, barley, lamb, beef and vegetable sectors are hitting farmers hard and the Ulster Farmers’ Union is warning the agriculture industry is on its knees and facing its biggest ever crisis.

One of the district’s leading farmers, John Carson, said while the spotlight is currently focusing on falling milk prices, other sectors of the industry are suffering and in need of help through what he described as a “particularly challenging period.”

The Ballyculter farmer said lamb prices have fallen 30 per cent over the past two years while a tonne of wheat or barley has decreased from a high of around £200 in 2013 to its current level of £120 per tonne.

Mr Carson said all farmers are suffering because the goods they produce are perishable and can’t be stockpiled to wait for prices to increase. He said farmers need to see money coming in.

The beef, sheep and cereal farmer said the strength of the pound against the Euro and supermarket promotions are contributing to the problems across the agricultural sector.

“Local farmers are getting it tight right across the board with all sectors of the industry affected,” declared Mr Carson. “Farming is currently an industry which is property rich but cash poor and there are fears some farmers may not be able to keep afloat if the current situation continues.

“An industry-wide approach is required to address the issues. There are farmers who find themselves in dire financial straits and I fear families who have been farming for generations may have to leave the industry as a result of the huge difficulties they are facing.”

Mr Carson said farmers are producing food which is sold for less than the cost of producing it which is having a significant impact on their finances.

“Two litres of milk should not be selling in the major supermarkets for 78 pence and buy one get one free promotions are doing nothing for the farming industry. Farmers are frustrated and the pricing issue has to be addressed.

“It is very frustrating for farmers when they see the mark up in the food they produce when it ends up on the supermarket shelves. Everything in the agricultural garden at the moment is far from rosy and farmers are going though a really difficult time. The sector is suffering and the industry is not the one it once was.’

Mr Carson hopes the efforts being made to address the fall in farm gate prices can be addressed with the industry, the agriculture minister and politicians working together.

He added: “We need everyone to remain united as there is not one farmer not affected by the current situation the industry finds itself in. We need to speak with one voice and ensure the public remains on our side as we try and address and ride out this crisis.

“Farmers are worried about the future and things need to start improving to ensure there is a vibrant industry for future generations to keep it going. The agriculture sector is at the heart of the Northern Ireland economy and it must be sustained.”

Mr Carson’s concerns are shared by the Ulster Farmers’ Union, with the organisation’s president, Ian Marshall, admitting low industry prices are a major issue. He confirmed farming unions across the UK are holding an urgent summit next Monday to discuss the problems facing the agricultural industry with farmers facing “financial devastation” as a result of falling prices.

“This is a multi-factorial problem across the entire industry for which there is no single solution. It is essential everyone in government and the supply chain plays their part in helping to urgently address these genuine and serious difficulties. The understandable frustration of farmers is starting to spill over into actions that no one wants,” said Mr Marshall.

Mournes councillor Harold McKee agreed that while dairy farming is facing a crisis at present, many other farming sectors are also facing problems due to production costs and difficult markets. He said Northern Ireland farmers face the “added burden” of the weak Euro, the closure of the Russian market and poor demand from China.