The success of the recently refurbished Donegal Mart reflected its very successful management and the commitment of its shareholders to provide a most effective sales service for farmers, says MEP Marian Harkin.
The politician officially opened the newly refurbished Mart in Donegal town on Friday.
She told donegaldaily.com today: “At a time of severe economic difficulty it is most heartening to see a board of a livestock mart prepared to invest in the infrastructure necessary to assure an effective marketing outlet for livestock in south and west Donegal for the future.
“Investment in livestock marts represents a commitment to service rather than an opportunity for profit and, as such, reflects great credit on all concerned. The successful ongoing operation of marts requires management of a high order and in Donegal Manager Eimear McGuiness has been central to the Mart’s development and to creating the environment for shareholders to invest in improvements.
“Donegal is probably unique in that two of the managers of its successful livestock marts in Donegal town and Raphoe are women, Eimear McGuiness and Ann Harkin in Raphoe. There is obviously no gender border in Donegal.
“The narrow margins earned in livestock requires management of a high order involving the balancing of the need for profit while ensuring a competitive and effective service for farmers. The provision of the improvements to Donegal Mart would not be possible without the existence of committed shareholders and the excellent management required to ensure that this essential infrastructure for the livestock trade will be there for the future.
“Farmers need to have cost effective services especially at difficult times, such as the present, with severe weather problems and increased farm input costs. They also need a successful outcome to the ongoing CAP reform discussions. The European Parliament is determined with the European Commission to preserve the same level of budget for agriculture. The central issue for us in the Parliament is to reject the attempt to reduce the CAP budget by up to 10%. The Parliament will not agree to a new CAP without the overall EU budget being determined and, in my involvement in the Agriculture Committee, I will with colleagues be strong in implementing the new co-decision powers of the Parliament. In regard to direct payments to farmers for the future it will be important to continue to incentivise production while at the same time ensuring a fair outcome for all.
“I congratulate all who have contributed to this most heartening development at Donegal Mart which I am confident will repay the commitment involved with enhanced business and a secure outlet for farmers output for the future”, Marian Harkin MEP concluded.
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