DEFRA MUST PROVIDE HELP TOWARDS SLURRY STORAGE COSTS
The Tenant Farmers Association has again pressed the need for Defra to provide grant aid to English farmers who are to be required to provide new slurry storage capacity under new Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) Regulations.
Speaking at the South West Dairy Show, TFA National Vice-Chairman Stephen Wyrill said “It is simply not acceptable that farmers in Scotland and Northern Ireland are to be given grant aid towards new slurry storage capacity when English farmers will be required to meet the cost fully themselves. Dairy farmers will be particularly badly hit by these new regulations. All firms producing dairy costings are forecasting a major downturn in the fortunes of dairy farmers over the next couple of years not least because of the extra costs that will be associated with meeting nitrate vulnerable zone regulations.”
“Defra Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, reiterated at last week’s Labour Party Conference that no funding would be made available for new slurry storage requirements. Coupled with the Secretary of State’s inability to control bovine TB and his awful decision not to allow the culling of TB-infected badgers, it is little wonder that farmers are rejecting this Government,” said Mr Wyrill.
“At a time when there is growing concern over issues of food security and a demand for local food with guaranteed provenance and high quality, the Government should be ensuring that we are able to maintain a productive agricultural base in this country. On the contrary, however, the Government’s actions are driving more and more to leave the industry which will, if not stopped, be detrimental to the nation’s interest,” said Mr Wyrill.
end
|
Ref: MR24
|
Date: 30 September 2008
|
Notes for Editors:
Find the TFA at the Bath and West Dairy Show on 1st October on stand 158 in the Showering Pavilion.
For further information about the TFA contact Stephen Wyrill, TFA National Vice-Chairman on 07754 582 600 or Jenna Kirkpatrick, TFA Communications and Events Coordinator on 07887 777157/0118 930 6130.
The Tenant Farmers Association is the only organisation dedicated to the agricultural tenanted sector and is the authentic voice of tenant farmers. The TFA lobbies at all levels of Government and gives expert advice to members.
