NFU Deputy President Tim Bennett is in Brussels today to brief members of the EU Parliament on the scale of the disaster facing British livestock farmers.
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Farmers are deeply concerned at the impact of the European Commission proposals to reduce beef production – a problem that has now been exacerbated by the outbreak of foot and mouth in this country.
Mr Bennett will meet today with a number of UK and other EU MEPs to spell out farmers’ fears on both issues.
He said: “The European Commission beef proposals were bad enough and an issue on which we are fighting tooth and nail.
“But now to have foot and mouth on top of this is just disastrous for us. I will answer any questions MEPs may have about foot and mouth disease and outlining the measures that we are taking to eradicate the problem as quickly as possible.”
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By GlobalDataMr Bennett will also call on the European Parliament to aid the fight against the ill-thought-out Commission proposals to reduce beef supply.
He added: “The European Commission simply cannot continue with the beef proposals in their current form. These proposals penalise the UK by threatening to reduce our beef production at a time when the industry is re-building itself to meet the demand from UK consumers.”
Mr Bennett will attend a reception co-hosted by the NFU and MLC in Brussels tonight where he will meet with MEPs from the UK, and members of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Environment committees.
The Commission beef proposals include the imposition of quotas on the Beef Special Premium Scheme, a reduction in stocking density rates and the mandatory minimum 20% heifer rule under the Suckler Cow Premium.
The Commission thinks they will help reduce the over-supply of beef in Europe because of BSE fears.
The NFU believes the proposals – put forward in response to the collapse of the beef market in mainland Europe – will do nothing to address the key issue of lack of confidence in the market place now.
Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this document, the NFU cannot accept liability for errors and omissions. This information should not be regarded as constituting legal advice, and should therefore not be relied upon as such. NFU©
