Farmers Discuss Reform With Agri Minister

NI farming representatives have been meting the newly installed Agriculture and Rural Development Minister (DARD), Michelle O'Neill.

A joint delegation from the two main farming groups met her to discuss a range of key issues.

President John Thompson led the Ulster Farmer's Union (UFU) delegation and NIAPA Vice Chairman Michael Clarke led the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association (NIAPA) delegation.

Afterwards, Minister O'Neill said: "Following my appointment on Monday I have been very keen to hold a first meeting with UFU and NIAPA representatives to introduce myself.

"There has been a very useful exchange on a range of issues which affect the agricultural Industry and which have an impact on farmers, their families and the wider rural community.

"We discussed a number of issues today, including Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, the DARD Budget, Better Regulation, the eradication of Brucellosis, and support to Less Favoured Areas."

The Sinn Fein Minister added: "Like my predecessor Michelle Gildernew I will continue to work constructively with the farming bodies to deal with issues of mutual interest and would welcome their support for the future.

"I look forward to building up a new relationship with them over the course of this Assembly term."

As well as John Thompson, the UFU group included Clarke Black Chief Executive and Wesley Aston, their Policy Director.

The NIAPA delegation comprised Mr Clarke along with Gerard McElhone - also Vice Chairman - and Jim Carmichael the NIAPA's Development Officer and Donal McAtamney, their Treasurer.

Just after the meeting, the UFU President John Thompson said: "This first meeting with the new Minister was a great opportunity to introduce the UFU and to discuss current key agricultural issues. We highlighted a number of issues that are important to UFU members, all of which are detailed in the agriculture manifesto that the UFU produced for the Assembly elections, such as: the Common Agriculture Policy post 2013; land eligibility; less favoured areas; the DARD budget; animal health; the Groceries Code Adjudicator; better regulation and climate change.

"Encouragingly, I was pleased to hear that the new Minister recognises the important issue of tackling unnecessary bureaucratic red tape and how it can cause a real headache for farmers.

"The Minister also recognised the significant costs associated with Bovine TB and expressed an interest in seeking to reduce this burden on farmers," he said. "Overall, it was a positive first meeting and I look forward to working with Minister O'Neill in future."

Just last month, the UK's Agriculture Minister, Jim Paice was lobbied for the best outcome for local farmers over the EU CAP Reform in 2013.

He visited Northern Ireland to attend the meeting of UK Farming Unions, which preceded the Ulster Farmers' Union dinner at Galgorm, Ballymena and said the day would come when farming will operate without subsidies: "I would say the future of our industry is good. A prosperous, vibrant industry."

(BMcC/KMcA)