Northern Ireland has gotten off pretty well in the fast-developing Unites States (US) trade tariff debacle with the rest of the world.
This is according to Farmers for Action (FFA) spokesperson, William Taylor.
“We can live with 10%. What this means in real terms is that food and drink produced in Northern Ireland must be marketed 10% more effectively in the US,” he told Agriland.
“This will have implications for advertising activity and marketing initiatives in that more general sense.
“But irrespective of tariffs, trade will continue to flow. It’s like a waterfall; water will always find a way to get to ground level.”
Significantly, the FFA representative feels that the imagery associated with food and drink produced in Northern Ireland should be strongly enhanced.
“Previously, FFA has suggested that the logo used to symbolise Northern Ireland beef and lamb farm quality assurance scheme should comprise a shamrock in tandem with the steps at the Giant’s Causeway.
“Looking ahead, I see no reason why such imagery cannot be used to reflect the quality of the food that we produce here in Northern Ireland on all export markets.” Taylor added.
William Taylor believes that the shamrock and the Giant’s Causeway are both iconic images associated with Northern Ireland, which would be easily recognised and understood the world over.
Meanwhile, the FFA representative recognises that most farm gate commodity prices and trade have improved over recent months.
“But the scope to improve the levels of these returns on behalf of farmers remains obvious,” he said.
“Milk should be at 60p/L with beef prices averaging £8.50/kg. Yes we have seen lamb prices reach £8.50 but not on a consistent basis.
“Grain prices, however, remain in the doldrums. This is a totally unacceptable scenario.
“What we are seeing now is the world’s largest grain cartels working in what seems to be a coordinated manner, to maintain cereal prices at artificially low levels. This is an intolerable situation,” he added.
Taylor added that grain growers benefitted from the active inclusion of cereals in biofuels some 12 years ago.
“But this is now a distant memory. Arable farmers must be allowed to make a sustainable living for themselves.
“The tariffs imposed by the US are now a reality. But there remain exciting opportunities to export the food produced in Northern Ireland to countries around the world. And this potential must be realised in full,” he concluded.
