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Boards should push for better milk prices – UFU
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is calling on board members of dairy co-ops to challenge their chairs and chief executives to pay “a reflective and true milk price” to NI farmers.
“Dairy processors need to stop sitting on their hands and at the bare minimum hold the milk price until the end of the year, it is the least dairy farmers deserve at this stage,” said UFU deputy president Victor Chestnutt.
The UFU points to AHDB figures which show that the average NI milk price in June of 26.43p/l was the fourth lowest price in the EU.
DfE missing opportunity on RHI tariffs
The Department for the Economy (DfE) is missing an opportunity to address issues with Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) tariffs in NI, a committee of MPs has said.
In June 2019, the NI Affairs Committee published a report which recommended that DfE revisits calculations for RHI tariffs to reflect costs and assumptions made in a similar scheme in Britain where tariffs are more lucrative.
In a response published last week, Noel Lavery from DfE said that a review of tariff rates will take place, but he maintained that the costs used in tariff calculations are similar to the British scheme and are bound by EU state aid rules.
“The department’s reluctance to give financial recognition to the investment decisions of RHI participants is a missed opportunity to address some of the unfairness created by the revisions to RHI payments,” said committee chair Simon Hoare.
Request for BVD change to FQAS
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and NI Meat Export Association (NIMEA) have jointly proposed farm quality assurance scheme (FQAS) changes to disincentivise the retention of BVD-positive calves. The organisations want changes to the NI Beef and Lamb FQAS so that participants are required to remove BVD-positive animals within 35 days of receiving the initial positive test result.
“Ultimately, this action will minimise the risk to disease-free herds, reduce antibiotic usage and improve the health and welfare of the Northern Ireland cattle herd. All are positive steps moving us towards our goal of BVD eradication faster,” said UFU deputy president David Brown.
NI needs a farmer-focussed upland scheme
DAERA should consider rolling out a farmer-focused scheme for upland areas in NI, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) hill farming policy committee has said.
The comments were made following a trip by the committee to see the Burren Programme in the Republic of Ireland.
“Farmers determine their own stocking rates, decide how to manage their pasture and with the help of specialist advisors, address environmental issues and are rewarded annually for their results. It is an excellent example of farmers, government and environmental groups working in partnership,” said committee chair Nigel McLaughlin.
He added that a similar scheme in NI could be equally as effective for supporting hill farms, managing the environment and boosting tourism.
NI hits 40% renewable target
A target to have 40% of electricity in NI produced from renewable sources has been met a year ahead of schedule, figures from the Department for the Economy (DfE) confirm.
In the 12 months to the end of June 2019, 44% of electricity in was generated from renewables. The NI Executive set a target in 2010 to have 40% electricity from renewables by 2020.
DfE permanent secretary Noel Lavery said that the NI Renewables Obligation had been the main incentive for renewable electricity generation. When it was launched in 2005, only 3% of electricity in NI was from renewables.
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