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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 13th August 2015
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Irish minister calls for EU action on milk prices
cow
Liz Truss acknowledged that dairy farmers in the north are facing a "unique and extreme set of circumstances".
Liz Truss told of difficulties facing dairy farmers
 
Irish agriculture minister Michelle O'Neill has met with Defra secretary Liz Truss to outline the difficulties facing dairy farmers in the north.

Liquid milk prices stood at 19.85 pence per litre (ppl) in June 2015 - a fall of 9.88 ppl compared to last year. This is understood to be well below the cost of milk production.

Minister O'Neill urged Liz Truss to lobby the European Union on behalf of the northern farming industry.

Commenting after the meeting, the minister said the discussion had been "frank and constructive".

"It was very important for her to understand the difficulties facing farmers in the north. Our industry depends heavily on exporting and it has been impacted severely by a combination of adverse exchange rates and poor market conditions."

Liz Truss acknowledged that dairy farmers in the north are facing a "unique and extreme set of circumstances" and said she is committed to taking action.

Minister O'Neill said the issue cannot be resolved at a local level, but needs action from producers, processors, banks and politicians in Westminster and in Europe.

She will also attend next month's meeting of the council in Brussels, where she will call for a review of the current intervention price, which was last reviewed in 2008.

"It is my firm belief that we in the north can better tackle the challenges facing all parts of our farming industry, not just dairy, if we work together," minister O'Neill added.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.