Written question asked by Lady Hermon (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 16 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 April 2005. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 April 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make a statement on milk prices in Northern Ireland.

Answer: Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on milk prices in Northern Ireland. [223279] Mr. Pearson: The average producer milk price in Northern Ireland was 18.26 pence per litre in 2004, which was an increase of 0.26 pence per litre (+ 1.5 per cent.) on the previous year. This compares with an average milk price for the UK as a whole of 18.56 pence per litre in 2004. The milk price in Great Britain is slightly higher because around 50 per cent. of total milk production goes into the higher priced liquid market. In comparison, around 85 per cent. of milk produced in Northern Ireland is processed into commodities such as butter, cheese and milk powders. Detailed information on milk prices and on the value of milk production is given in the `Statistical Review of Northern Ireland Agriculture, 2004', which was published on 24 March 2005 and is available on the DARD website at www.dardni.gov.uk.

Secondary information