Rural Review - July 2008

If you are feeling the pinch in your pocket, then you are not alone!!

Disposable income for an average household is down about £8 a week. Households in the farming sector more than any, are struggling to keep their heads above water.

However, this week a cautious optimism has crept into the dairy industry with a two pence per litre increase in monthly milk prices. In last months article I stated, "May Northern Ireland milk auction results are a blow to local milk producers, who are struggling to cope with soaring feed, fuel and fertiliser production costs." Although this rise in milk price is a good signal to dairy farmers who are struggling with the squeeze on their disposable incomes, it does not by any means cover the costs of many dairy farming bills.

The milk price achieved only matches what it was this time last year. Farmers need assurances to offset the financial worries that many face in the wake of investments in the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme (FNMS). The industry remains in a vulnerable state as farmers wait with anticipation next month's auction price.

Minister Gildernew only a few weeks ago set a challenge to farmers and builders to 'work in partnership to ensure the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme is delivered by the deadline of 31^st December 2008'. I have pressed the Minister previously about the issue of planning permission being fast tracked for farmers applying for grants under the FNMS. Many farmers, including those in the South Down area, have struggled to get planning permission passed, and in some cases this may take up to 5 months to process. That time scale at this stage is unacceptable as there is only 6 months to the deadline.

I will continue to pursue the Minister on the issue of fast tracking planning permission over the coming weeks as well as this I will be asking the question as to whether or not the deadline of the 31^st December 2008 makes for a realistic target. As many farmers face testing times does the added stress of this short deadline add to their burden?

In my opinion yes it does and I can understand fully the worries that many farmers are facing at this trying period. It is not realistic that the 31^st December 2008 deadline is reachable, with approximately 2000 slurry tanks that need to be delivered on as they have received grant approval and many still that are only at the planning stage.

There is a huge amount of work ahead, and there is no time to waste. With the Minister adding more pressure to an already vulnerable industry I simply wonder how much more strain the farming sector can take!