Menu
26/08/2002
Armstrong hits out at British government for failing farmers
Billy Armstrong, Ulster Unionist Party MLA for Mid-Ulster, and a member of the assembly agriculture committee has hit out at the Labour government for failing to aid farmers.
Mr Armstrong said he had received a letter from Lord Whitty - the Minister for Food, Farming and Waterways - stating that Northern Ireland would not be receiving weather aid compensation to offset additional costs due to the horrendous wet weather since May this year.
In the letter Lord Whitty acknowledged the difficulties that farmers faced, but other than working with them over recommendations on policy commission within the farming, food and milk task force, there was no money in the kitty to pay this subsidy.
Lord Whitty blamed the "many competing demands on the exchequer at present, particularly as more than 80 percent of the cost would be met by the British taxpayer".
At the beginning of July when it was declared that January to July has been the wettest seven months in Northern Ireland since records began, Mr Armstrong wrote to Margaret Beckett of DEFRA to highlight the terrible impact that the continuous rain has been having on agriculture in Northern Ireland.
In his letter, Mr Armstrong highlighted the worst effects of the wet weather and the expense that this caused farmers.
Mr Armstrong said: “You wouldn’t recognise fields that been trampled due to continuous rain and, as this has caused much delay in the growth of grass, these fields are now in need of re-seeding. But where is the money going to come from?"
He added: “Once again, the farmers' plight has been ignored by the Westminster government. Weather aid has been received in areas of the United Kingdom in the past, yet our government is unwilling to assist our farmers at this critical time when their backs are against the wall. Farmers deserve to have a supportive government, yet all too often they have been left to struggle on their own."
Mr Armstrong pledged to continue to campaign for the agriculture industry and to demand a "better standard of living for all our farmers, as well as for all the people of Northern Ireland”.
(SP)
Mr Armstrong said he had received a letter from Lord Whitty - the Minister for Food, Farming and Waterways - stating that Northern Ireland would not be receiving weather aid compensation to offset additional costs due to the horrendous wet weather since May this year.
In the letter Lord Whitty acknowledged the difficulties that farmers faced, but other than working with them over recommendations on policy commission within the farming, food and milk task force, there was no money in the kitty to pay this subsidy.
Lord Whitty blamed the "many competing demands on the exchequer at present, particularly as more than 80 percent of the cost would be met by the British taxpayer".
At the beginning of July when it was declared that January to July has been the wettest seven months in Northern Ireland since records began, Mr Armstrong wrote to Margaret Beckett of DEFRA to highlight the terrible impact that the continuous rain has been having on agriculture in Northern Ireland.
In his letter, Mr Armstrong highlighted the worst effects of the wet weather and the expense that this caused farmers.
Mr Armstrong said: “You wouldn’t recognise fields that been trampled due to continuous rain and, as this has caused much delay in the growth of grass, these fields are now in need of re-seeding. But where is the money going to come from?"
He added: “Once again, the farmers' plight has been ignored by the Westminster government. Weather aid has been received in areas of the United Kingdom in the past, yet our government is unwilling to assist our farmers at this critical time when their backs are against the wall. Farmers deserve to have a supportive government, yet all too often they have been left to struggle on their own."
Mr Armstrong pledged to continue to campaign for the agriculture industry and to demand a "better standard of living for all our farmers, as well as for all the people of Northern Ireland”.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 December 2014
NI Has Largest Increase In HIV Cases
There is a worryingly high level of new HIV cases being detected in Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has said. The figures have been released as part of the 'HIV Surveillance in Northern Ireland 2014' report, ahead of World AIDS Day, which is today (1 December).
NI Has Largest Increase In HIV Cases
There is a worryingly high level of new HIV cases being detected in Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has said. The figures have been released as part of the 'HIV Surveillance in Northern Ireland 2014' report, ahead of World AIDS Day, which is today (1 December).
18 August 2008
Congratulations On Medal Win
Some 16 years after Northern Ireland's last Olympic medal in an individual sport - when boxer Wayne McCullough won silver for Ireland in Barcelona in 1992 - the Province has been able to celebrate again.
Congratulations On Medal Win
Some 16 years after Northern Ireland's last Olympic medal in an individual sport - when boxer Wayne McCullough won silver for Ireland in Barcelona in 1992 - the Province has been able to celebrate again.
22 August 2012
National Parks: Attwood Vs The Ulster Farmers Union
The Ulster Farmers Union have come out against plans for national parks in Northern Ireland. It follows a meeting they had with Stormont's environment minister Alex Attwood earlier this week where they discussed his department's plans to set up two national parks in either the Cauesway Coast, the Fermangh Lakelands or the Mourne Mountains.
National Parks: Attwood Vs The Ulster Farmers Union
The Ulster Farmers Union have come out against plans for national parks in Northern Ireland. It follows a meeting they had with Stormont's environment minister Alex Attwood earlier this week where they discussed his department's plans to set up two national parks in either the Cauesway Coast, the Fermangh Lakelands or the Mourne Mountains.
06 June 2008
Farmers 'Notebook' To Lessen Paperwork Burden
A campaign to advise farmers that legislation that requires record keeping of on-farm activities need not be too much of a burden has been launched. The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland (FSANI) has explained this can be achieved in a simple and easy way, without adding to farmers' administrative burden.
Farmers 'Notebook' To Lessen Paperwork Burden
A campaign to advise farmers that legislation that requires record keeping of on-farm activities need not be too much of a burden has been launched. The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland (FSANI) has explained this can be achieved in a simple and easy way, without adding to farmers' administrative burden.
05 February 2020
Severe Weather Warning Issued
A Status Yellow severe weather warning for wind has been issued by the Met Office as Storm Ciara makes its way to the UK. The weather system is currently developing in the North Atlantic and is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain through the end of the weekend and into the start of next week.
Severe Weather Warning Issued
A Status Yellow severe weather warning for wind has been issued by the Met Office as Storm Ciara makes its way to the UK. The weather system is currently developing in the North Atlantic and is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain through the end of the weekend and into the start of next week.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
