Call for fairness in supply chain

Speaking following a meeting with Northern Ireland Farm Groups including Farmers for Action and Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association, the former chair of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs committee said: “Our farmers face the task of producing high quality produce in increasingly difficult financial circumstances.

“Time and again we hear from farmers that they just want a fair price for their produce. NI Farm Groups have proposals around minimum pricing legislation which is one approach that should be considered in detail.

“Certainly I would call on the Agriculture Minister to seriously examine all means of ensuring equitability within the supply chain.

“There needs to be greater transparency and accountability through all levels of the supply chain to ensure producers receive fair return for their produce.

“Farmers are currently facing uncertain times as the outworkings of the EU referendum unfold.

“Some are also looking at the reduction and removal of the ANC payment, which will have a major impact on farmers in those areas.

“As a party Sinn Féin believe the ANC payments should continue for the current CAP period and would ask the minister to reconsider this.”