October 25, 2010

Northern Ireland egg producers receive cage ban funds

Northern Irish egg producers can now receive government assistance in converting to enriched cages or alternative production systems ahead of the 2012 EU conventional cage ban.

The latest installment of the Farm Modernisation Programme (FMP), which began last year, will see GBP7 million available to farmers to convert to new technology, including converting cages in layer farms.

To access the funds farmers must qualify through an application process and commit to spending an additional GBP6 for every GBP4 they receive from the scheme. Financial support will be capped at GBP4,000 a farm, with applications closing on November 26.

Northern Ireland agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said she was committed to maintaining the competitiveness of the egg industry.

"My department consulted with representatives of the poultry industry to ensure that the list of eligible items (in the FMP) includes items that will help egg producers to modernise," she said.

The Ulster Farmers Union said it welcomed the new round of funding with UFU president John Thompson saying the UFU would hold workshops across Northern Ireland to help farmers complete applications.

But opposition Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliott hit out at the minister, saying she needed to do more to support poultry, citing the Republic of Ireland's EUR16-million support for egg producers to convert to enriched cages or other systems.