Agri markets Task Force chair grilled

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson quizzed Cees Veerman, Chair of the Agricultural Markets Task Force, in Brussels this week.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Apr 2016, 07:58 BST
Jim Nicholson MEP with Cees Veerman, Chair of the Agricultural Markets Task Force, in Brussels this week.Jim Nicholson MEP with Cees Veerman, Chair of the Agricultural Markets Task Force, in Brussels this week.
Jim Nicholson MEP with Cees Veerman, Chair of the Agricultural Markets Task Force, in Brussels this week.

Mr Veerman was appearing before MEPs to discuss the work of the Task Force and current situation in the agricultural industry.

Speaking after the debate Mr. Nicholson said: “The Agricultural Markets Task Force was established by the European Commission at the start of the year with the aim of developing proposals for strengthening the position of producers in the supply chain. These proposals are expected this autumn.”

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Issues discussed included; market transparency, industry access to financial and hedging instruments, the role of contracts and price volatility.

Mr Nicholson concluded: “This week’s debate with Cees Veerman in the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee was therefore a useful opportunity to discuss the work of the Task Force and to highlight the Northern Ireland agri-food industry’s concerns – including the potential implications of a trade deal between the EU and Mercosur for agriculture.”