Gildernew Defends Farm Modernisation

Proposed farm modernisation across Northern Ireland has been in for criticism, putting Stormont Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew on the defensive.

Her proposals for Tranche Two of the Farm Modernisation Programme (FMP) have come in for criticism in the Assembly, with the Minister responding by saying that the criteria which has been developed for the 'second tranche' of the controversial scheme are "designed to help address disadvantage in the farming community".

"My proposals for Tranche Two of the programme will target disadvantage by providing assistance for the modernisation of farm and horticultural businesses operating in Less Favoured Areas.

"This is reflected in the scoring criteria which is weighted towards those applicants who experience genuine disadvantage and need for modernisation to help them become, or remain, competitive, while working in a challenging environment of small farms on the margins of viability," she said.

The Sinn Fein Minister's comments were backed by a response from the NI Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, who was this week highlighting the positive work of the Stormont Executive.

The DUP Minister said: "Some 1,268 farm businesses have received letters of offer in relation to the first tranche of the Farm Modernisation Programme, whilst farmers have benefitted through funding of £300million under the Common Agricultural Policy."

However, the Agriculture Minister reported a need to introduce selection criteria and various options for those criteria.

Minister Gildernew said has been discussing these with a range of stakeholders and is "still considering the points made".

"In addition we will be consulting widely on the categorisation of the modernising effect of items of plant, machinery or equipment and the list of eligible items," she said.

The Minister continued: "Four additional selection criteria are proposed for Tranche Two.

"These are important, not only because the European Commission has ruled that it is key to select transparently between applications, but also because it means that there is not a need for a business development plan to be submitted by farm businesses, something the industry has consistently said it do not want.

"Under the land classification criterion, I am keen that we target disadvantage, by focussing on those businesses within the Less Favoured Areas where a need for genuine modernisation is greatest.

"That is why there are scores for applicants from Severely Disadvantaged Areas and Disadvantaged Areas, to enable those who are successful to use the grant to help them become, or remain, competitive, while working in a very challenging environment."

She added: "Modernisation, of course, is the objective of the measure, and the suggestion is that three scoring bands will be available, and equipment assigned, depending on the level of their modernising attributes.

"I have mentioned the importance of helping young farmers and I also want to include e-communication as a way of signalling my wish to promote this way of doing business, not just for DARD's benefit, but also for the customer.

"I am convinced this programme will be of benefit to all the industry, but particularly to those suffering hardship."

(BMCC/GK)