The Ulster Farmers’ Union says it is pleased the agriculture minister, Michelle O'Neill, has responded positively to its call for her to use the dairy stakeholder meeting she set up to focus on the deepening cash flow crisis generally and in the dairy sector in particular.
The UFU pressed two weeks ago for this to happen and its president, Ian Marshall, says the willingness of government and industry to come together is welcome. “We know there is no magic bullet to increase prices – but until that happens government and industry needs to rise to the challenge of getting farming families through a very difficult winter,” he said.
The UFU says it is acutely aware cash flow is becoming a bigger issue on many farms. It says it will continue to press for a meaningful commitment from all the local banks to confirm that they are working with farmers on immediate cash flow difficulties and for what could be a long haul back to profitability.
“After an awful December for weather farmers – and not only dairy farmers – have feed bills that need to be paid, and the money isn't there to do so. They are also having to make plans to buy costly fertiliser – and that is a big challenge when you don't have the funds in your account,” said Mr Marshall.
The UFU says that while cash flow will be its priority for the meeting on Thursday it will also be pressing for the entire industry and governement to look towards long term solutions. These will include ways to tackle volatility, ranging from the big challenge of trying to even out markets to more practical initiatives, such as payment plans with agricultural merchants and the potential to deliver advance payments of CAP support this year.
“For now, however, we are acutely aware from our members that we need to make sure family businesses are still trading, come the Spring – let alone when prices finally improve,” warned Mr Marshall.
