Support for campaign against £30 million differential

For Northern Ireland this is about the £30 million plus farmers lose because of this, and this was the key issue the UFU raised in its evidence to the committee.

“It is encouraging to see this is high on the select committee’s list of recommendations on farm-gate prices,” said UFU president, Ian Marshall.

In its report the committee calls for “more effective coordination” between DEFRA in London and the devolved administrations to tackle “unsustainable price inequalities”.

“This means we have been successful in making our case. It is a big plus that MPs at Westminster have recognised the existence of the differential and the damage it causes for farmers,” said Mr Marshall.

The UFU recently criticised DARD in Northern Ireland for deeming this differential a commercial issue which was outside its remit.

“It’s clear from this report that this is not the case. We hope DEFRA will take on board this recommendation and seek ways to challenge why farmers in the UK regions lose out so badly, when what they produce is destined for the same supermarket shelves, in the same packaging with the same UK Red Tractor quality mark,” said Mr Marshall.

The UFU has also welcomed a recommendation from the EFRA committee that more needs to be done to make the origin of products clearer to consumers.

The report says it is wrong that products can be described as UK origin, when the raw ingredients are imported.

“This is something we have pressed for, and we are delighted the committee has recognised that when consumers try to support local farmers they find it difficult to know the origin of products. We are also pleased committee members were sceptical about assurances by supermarkets that there is no link between what they charge consumers, and what farmers are paid,” said Mr Marshall.

He added that the UFU would now seek to work with the National Farmers Union in England and others to ensure the committee’s report is implemented.

“We don’t want this to become another sensible document gathering dust because there is no drive to implement the recommendation.” he said.