Protests set to highlight plight of farming industry

Groups of farmers, protesting against the current downturn in the meat market, are expected to hold demonstration at Stormont Buildings tomorrow afternoon.

In a coordinated protest across the UK, Farmers For Action will demonstrate at 1pm tomorrow at Stormont, whilst their mainland counterparts will protest at the Scottish Assembly, the Welsh Assembly and 10 Downing Street.

Farmers will be presenting hampers full of British products to politicians and will argue that government must offer more support to the industry before more farms and livelihoods are lost.

Sinn Fein's Mid-Ulster assembly member, Francie Molloy, has backed the Farmers For Action protest, as well as the protest planned in early September by the NIAPA calling for a fair return on produce.

Mr Molloy said: “It has been known for a number of years now that the farming industry is facing a severe crisis. We need to get to grips with reasons why we are in the present situation. The arguments are the same for pigs, sheep and beef.

"The factors that caused them to have no profit are the same. These include sterling, BSE, the loss of market, the processors, the supermarkets and the power that people have beyond the farm gate.

He added: "In a multi-million pound industry, we talk about millions being lost, but farmers are asking: 'Where are the millions being lost?' It is certainly not from farm incomes.”

Mr Molloy said that the problem must be dealt with in order for local producers to get "a fair return for a quality product". He also claimed that price-fixing was now a "major factor" in the marketplace.

(KmcA)