Diane Dodds MEP recently invited the N Ireland Grain Trade Association for an update on current issues in the food and feed chain. She was accompanied by DUP colleagues, David Simpson, MP and member of the DEFRA committee in Westminster and William Irwin MLA and Chairman of the Assembly Agriculture Committee in Stormont.
The NIGTA delegation comprised Fiona Mc Cord, convenor of the scientific committee, Keith Agnew from United Feeds and Robin Irvine, CEO.
The meeting covered a range of issues including the trades concerns on proposed EU legislation relating to the use of feed materials derived from Genetically Modified crops and to the incorporation of medicines in feedstuff.
The current cash crisis facing dairy farmers was discussed in detail and NIGTA delegates outlined how the current weakness in the feed materials market was reflected in feed prices - now at a 5 year low. The role of the trade in funding farmers through merchant credit and the current level of debt was a significant concern. With N Irelands dependence on exporting dairy products the sector was exposed to the effects of global volatility. Management of this volatility was going to be a particular challenge in the future.
Mrs Dodds was particularly pleased to hear that all the compound feed used in Northern Ireland was now covered by the Food Fortress program. She congratulated NIGTA for creating a unique selling point for food produced in the province.
The political representatives were very appreciative of the discussion and undertook to support the NIGTA concerns in Brussels, Westminster and Stormont. The meeting concluded with an invitation from Mr Irwin for NIGTA to present to the Assembly Agriculture Committee.
