European Investment Bank meetings used to send 'positive role' message to farming sector

The Ulster Farmers’ Union has used meetings with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to send a clear signal to the EIB that the Union wants the bank to play a 'positive role' in the current crisis situation facing farm families.

Speaking after the Union’s participation in several meetings with the vice president of the EIB, Pim van Ballekom and his team of senior officials, UFU president, Ian Marshall, said his visit to Northern Ireland was welcome and added to the recent confirmation from the EU farm commissioner, Phil Hogan, that he was making it a priority to get the EIB involved in new funding arrangements for the agriculture industry.

“In particular, we pressed the case that while the EIB's traditional focus is on long-term investing in businesses, the need for now is to create a plan based on dealing with the challenging situation on many farms via the EIB structures,” said Mr Marshall.

“He agreed the crisis in agriculture, and the growing pressure from Phil Hogan and many of the EU’s member state Governments for action, confirmed that radical solutions were needed for difficult times in farming.

We also highlighted the need for speedy action at a regional level so that we can make rapid progress here in Northern Ireland to help ease the financial pressure on farms,” said Mr Marshall.

The UFU pointed out that it is vital the Northern Ireland agri-food industry come forward with proposals to the EIB that are best suited to address local issues.

“We have seen the Bank working with one dairy cooperative south of the border, very much on a pilot basis. We could see a similar approach work here – but at a much wider level and we would also like to see government involvement,” said Mr Marshall.

The UFU welcomed the involvement of MEP, Diane Dodds, in persuading Pim van Ballekom to come to Northern Ireland to meet key players in the industry.

“It is clear EIB involvement in the agriculture crisis has become a priority for the European Commission – and that is welcome. This makes it vital that politicians here buy into the case we are making to ensure we get a solution tailored to Northern Ireland conditions.

“What is already certain is that the need for urgent action to tackle the cash flow crisis farm families are facing has been recognised here, in Brussels and at the home of the EIB in Luxembourg,” said Mr Marshall.