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Allan
Wilson MSP
News - Press
Releases - 2004
MSP Allan Wilson
Meets Milk Producers - 1st May 2004 |
 Low
Ballees farm in West Kilbride was the venue for an important meeting between
Government and the dairy industry when Rural Development Minister Allan
Wilson and senior civil servants met local farmer Thomas Campbell, John
Kinnaird, President of National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) and the
union's milk committee to discuss milk prices.
The meeting followed a firm commitment that the Scottish Executive would
help Scotland's dairy farmers win a better deal for the price of their milk
given by Mr Wilson when he addressed NFU Scotland's annual conference in St
Andrews recently. |
Speaking after their meeting Mr Wilson said, "We had a very constructive
discussion with NFU Scotland's milk committee covering a wide range of
issues relating to milk prices. We have given a commitment to continue to
work with NFU Scotland and other interested parties to find a way forward."
"We recognise that these are challenging times for many dairy producers,
however I believe that the opportunity decoupling presents, under reform of
the Common Agricultural Policy, directing production more fully to meet the
needs of the market should be regarded as a positive development and I know
that farmers will wish to rise to the challenge"
"In addition to the Daily Premium I have already announced that dairy
producers will benefit from an additional top up payment and the decision to
decouple early in 2005. I am also considering Commissioner Fischler's
reported view that the Daily Premium for 2004 should be paid early - in
October - to assist with cash flow at that time of increased feed and
fertiliser costs" said Mr Wilson.
"I am keen to work with all relevant parties to assist the process of
responding to changing circumstances in the industry and will also continue
to support the Scottish dairy sector by practical means. Since 2001 the
Processing and Marketing Grants Scheme has made grants to dairy enterprises
totalling £6.3 million."
"The Executive also contributed £50,000 to the recent successful 'Milk
Moustache' campaign run by the Milk Development Council and Scottish
processors," said Mr Wilson.
NFUS president John Kinnaird said, "We welcomed Allan Wilson's commitment at
our AGM to helping the dairy industry secure a viable income and I'm pleased
he agreed to this visit to see the situation on the ground.
Put simply, the milk supply chain is failing farmers and the complete lack
of trust and transparency is preventing any real progress in addressing the
inequalities."
Local farmer and vice chairman of NFUS North Ayrshire, Thomas Campbell
concurred, "I welcome the Minister taking the time to see for himself the
problems dairy farmers are facing.
I am running 70 cows and getting 18p a litre, which leaves nothing for
investment. If we could get another 2p it would be a step in the right
direction, not just for me but other farmers in a similar position. It's the
difference between moving forward or staying as you are," said Mr Campbell.
Note:
Article 95 of Council Regulation 1782/2003/EC, the agreement on CAP Reform,
provides for a Dairy Premium and Additional Payment to be paid to milk
producers starting in 2004. The Dairy Premium/Additional Payment is paid
according to the quantity of milk quota available to a producer on 31st
March of each year that the premium is paid. The Scottish Executive
announced on the 8th of April that the Additional Payment would be paid as a
straight top -up to the Dairy Premium. All of Scotland's dairy producers
will benefit from this.
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