Ulster Farmers Union brands dairy processors talks ban 'childish posturing'

The Ulster Farmers Union says Dairy UK in Northern Ireland is refusing to talk to it after the union criticised processors over poor farm gate prices.

The UFU described the decision of Dairy UK to block future engagement with the union as “bizarre” and branded it “childish posturing”.

Dale Farm has also refused to engage with the UFU, the union said.

UFU deputy president Ivor Ferguson said the move confirmed the Union’s criticism that dairy processors do not understand how angry farmers feel after more than 18 months of struggling with prices below the cost of production.  

“Farmers are right to demand that processors dig deeper to give them the full benefit of the fall in the value of sterling and improving global markets.  If they cannot do so, they need to explain to their members why this is the case and also when they can expect to see price increases,” he said.  

“For the organisation that represents processors to respond to criticism by refusing to engage with the body that represents their farmer suppliers is, quite frankly, childish posturing.”

According to the union, Dairy UK (NI) has claimed that the UFU's criticism of their members was 'unhelpful and unjustified'.  

“I have to tell them we are not there to be helpful to processors.  We are there to help farmers, and their action is evidence that processors do not understand the financial pain and angry mood of the farmers that supply the milk that keeps them in business,” Mr Ferguson said.  

“If Dairy UK (NI) believes our criticism is unjustified that is a different matter, but in a rational business world people debate their differences. They do not simply walk away.”

Mr Ferguson said that in criticising processors the UFU was responding to concerns raised by many dairy farmer members supplying all dairy processors.

The UFU deputy president said Dale Farm had also decided not to engage with the UFU, even though it is owned by a cooperative of farmers.

“That is their choice, but as a farmer owned cooperative, I hope they are aware that many of their members are also members of the UFU,” Mr Ferguson said.

“These producers have been pushing for us to take a tougher line – and I would urge them to make clear to Dale Farm that blocking engagement with the organisation that represents farmers is the wrong stance for any cooperative.”

The UFU has confirmed it will not be attending the milk meeting in Cookstown, but has said the fact that it is happening and also that many producers are considering sending their milk to processors operating in Great Britain is further evidence of the hurt and anger felt by dairy farmers across Northern Ireland.  

“Farmers see dairy commodity prices rising, in some cases to record levels, while milk production is falling, yet our dairy farmers are still receiving a base price below the cost of production,” said Mr Ferguson.