Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive on the effect of the recent reduction in milk prices on dairy farmers.

The Secretary of State chairs regular meetings with the Devolved Administrations on issues of mutual interest. She has had an exchange of letters with the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive in the context of preparation for Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 26^th January.

Defra officials also maintain regular contact with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations on a range of dairy issues.