15/04/10 - Fair Deal for Farmers

Conservative Candidate for Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland, Paul Bristow, and Shadow Agriculture Minister Jim Paice MP have voiced their concerns about falling farm incomes and the impact this will have on the farming industry locally.

This follows a forecast made at the end of last year by the department for the environment, food and rural affairs, which suggests that farm incomes could plummet by 8% over 2010.

This week both Paul and Jim Paice MP visited Low Farm in Pinchinthorpe and met with local dairy farmer Chris Thompson.
Discussions focused on the power of the supermarkets, the recent drop in milk prices, and the steps that government could take to show support for this vital industry.

Paul said: “I was pleased to visit Low Farm and I was greatly impressed with the attitude Mr Thompson and other farmers I have met. But I am aware that a drop in farm income will only increase the challenges facing Cleveland farmers.

"I am concerned there are many farmers struggling against the tide of change and the immense financial pressures on the industry.

"A positive future can only be achieved if there are real and determined steps taken by government at Westminster to enable farmers compete on fairer terms. Re-balancing the supply chain in the face of enormous supermarket buying power will be key to this."