Maginness: When We Win West Tyrone Wins

Monday 18 May 2009

SDLP European Election candidate Alban Maginness has told farmers in West Tyrone he will use his party's influence in Europe to fight for the best deal for them and secure their economic future.

SDLP European Election candidate Alban Maginness has told farmers in West Tyrone he will use his party's influence in Europe to fight for the best deal for them and secure their economic future.

Mr Maginness was speaking as he canvassed support in Trillick and Killyclogher on Monday, gathering support ahead of the election on 4 June.

Mr Maginness said: "West Tyrone has been badly served in Europe for too long without the SDLP. A vote for Maginness is a vote for the stability of rural communities in West Tyrone. I will be making the review of Less Favoured Areas and reform of the Common Agricultural Policy key priorities.

"In Trillick and Killyclogher and across West Tyrone, I have met farmers who desperately need stability in Europe. The SDLP is the only pro-European party in this election. We are the only party that can claim membership of the Party of European Socialists, one of the largest parties in the European Parliament. With this we bring an extensive network of contacts and influence to deliver for the farmers of West Tyrone.

"This week I met with European Agriculture Commissioner Marian Fischer Boel and stressed to her the need to eradicate the red-tape and bureaucracy that is currently strangling farmers here.

"We want farmers in West Tyrone to still be farmers in years to come, to stop their feeling of isolation, to make sure the current financial crisis is handled with them in mind.

"Supporting the continuation of sustainable farming helps maintain the countryside and contributes to rural development. We will use the review of the existing Less Favoured Area (LFA) scheme to press for specific protection and strengthening of our LFAs to allow for the long term growth of farming here in West Tyrone.

"I also pledge to fight for the reduction of farm gate prices being lower than the cost of production, which is crippling many West Tyrone dairy farmers.

"The interests of rural people in West Tyrone have been neglected in the European Parliament without the SDLP - it is time for us all to win again."

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