RDA must do more to help hill farmers
HELEN GOODMAN MP
PRESS RELEASE
18 October 2007
** For immediate release**
Helen Goodman, the MP for Bishop Auckland, has called on the Regional Development Agency (GoNorthEast) to provide emergency financial assistance to the regions’ hard-hit farmers.
Having visited the Auction Mart in Middleton in Teesdale on Saturday, Helen is concerned at the impact Foot and Mouth disease and the resulting fall in export prices are having on local farmers.
Helen said:
“I saw at Middleton in Teesdale that prices are down 20-25% on last year, which is a real terms loss of 30%. Hill farming is a marginal existence, and farmers’ livelihoods soon become threatened if they are unable to sell their stock”.
“The Government have already put in place a package to provide assistance for hill farmers via the Hill Farmer Allowance. As a keen supporter of local communities, I also urge the RDA to play their part and provide emergency financial assistance to the regions’ farmers”.
ENDS
