Low prices forcing livestock farmers in the North to cut back
Beef and pig farmers in the North are cutting back production or quitting altogether because of poor farm-gate prices, it was revealed today.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union said the situation had been highlighted by the results of the latest Agriculture Survey published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The study showed the number of cattle in the North at the end of last year was down 9% and pigs down 8% compared with a year before.
UFU president Kenneth Sharkey said the survey was an interesting indicator of trends in the farming industry.
“It is clear from this survey that during 2007 many suckler cow and pig producers have downsized their herds or ceased production.
“This has been our warning to processors and retailers for a long time. If producers aren’t paid sustainable prices they will not stay in the industry and consumers will be deprived of high-quality local produce,” he said.
Mr Sharkey said 19% fewer prime cattle had been slaughtered in the North in January this year compared with January 2007.
“Many pig producers are also seriously considering de-stocking because of unsustainable prices.
“The retail sector must respond to this and look seriously at how to secure sustainable supplies of local produce which their customers are demanding.”
Meanwhile, local food and drink suppliers to Curley’s supermarkets were told today that big new markets could open up to them following the takeover of the two outlets by Sainsbury’s.
James Laws, Northern Ireland commercial operations manager at Sainsbury, said local suppliers who had worked with Curley’s would have every opportunity to supply them following the takeover.
He said: “Sainsbury’s is committed to supporting local suppliers and where appropriate we will visit Curley’s suppliers in the coming weeks and months to talk to them about opportunities which exist within not just these two stores in particular, but throughout the wider Sainsbury network.
“Sainsbury’s already sources over £300m (€398m) of goods locally and some of our suppliers have gone on to sell their products in Sainsbury’s stores right across the UK.”
