Fall in NI farm incomes expected

Falling milk prices are blamed for the income drop

Northern Ireland's farming industry has suffered another relapse with government figures predicting substantial reductions in farm incomes.

A Department of Agriculture report indicated incomes would drop compared to 2001 because of a sharp fall in milk prices.

This is in stark contrast to the rest of the United Kingdom, which is predicting a 9% increase in farm incomes.

John Gilliland wants the government to act

Last year 1,300 farm businesses went to the wall and the Ulster Farmers' Union has warned that the latest figures highlight the grave threat to the entire industry.

UFU President John Gilliland said the prospect for the farming community was horrendous.

"Seven years ago our incomes were the second highest in Europe. Now we have the lowest farm incomes and they are still in decline.

"The solutions remain with the UK Government who must begin to play a positive role in the Common Agriculture Policy and the major supermarkets who must recognise that the relentless downward pressure on food prices is driving farming families off the land in Northern Ireland," he said.