11/11/2005
Minister launches potato sector consultation
Agriculture Minister Jeff Rooker has initiated a consultation exercise on the proposals for future support to the potato sector here.
The proposals result from a study that was commissioned so that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) could best focus its resources with regard to future support services to the Northern Ireland potato sector.
"It is clear that the potato sector has been in decline for some time," Mr Rooker said. "The reasons for this are many and I believe it is very important for the industry, in partnership with government, to seek to redress this decline and create a sustainable future for itself.
"There is clearly an opportunity for the potato sector to examine its current structure and make the changes needed in order to capitalise on the development of unique varieties and the high health of the potato crop."
The Minister said he was strongly urging all those who have a stake in the industry's future to give the proposals serious consideration "and provide my officials with comprehensive and constructive responses".
The consultation paper is available on the DARD website, along with the consultant's report, at www.dardni.gov.uk or on the central consultations register at www.consultationni.gov.uk.
(MB/GB)
The proposals result from a study that was commissioned so that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) could best focus its resources with regard to future support services to the Northern Ireland potato sector.
"It is clear that the potato sector has been in decline for some time," Mr Rooker said. "The reasons for this are many and I believe it is very important for the industry, in partnership with government, to seek to redress this decline and create a sustainable future for itself.
"There is clearly an opportunity for the potato sector to examine its current structure and make the changes needed in order to capitalise on the development of unique varieties and the high health of the potato crop."
The Minister said he was strongly urging all those who have a stake in the industry's future to give the proposals serious consideration "and provide my officials with comprehensive and constructive responses".
The consultation paper is available on the DARD website, along with the consultant's report, at www.dardni.gov.uk or on the central consultations register at www.consultationni.gov.uk.
(MB/GB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 August 2012
Potato Wart Disease Fields Get All-Clear
A major exercise to clear fields that were placed under restriction to fight Potato Wart Disease has ended and 750 fields have now been declared disease-free. Potato Wart Disease is caused by a soil-borne fungus prevalent in parts of Ireland in the early 20th century.
Potato Wart Disease Fields Get All-Clear
A major exercise to clear fields that were placed under restriction to fight Potato Wart Disease has ended and 750 fields have now been declared disease-free. Potato Wart Disease is caused by a soil-borne fungus prevalent in parts of Ireland in the early 20th century.
04 December 2003
Industry group set up to advise on seed potato interests
Agriculture Minister, Ian Pearson today announced the Government’s launch of a Seed Potato Liaison Group (SPLG) to act as an advisory body on behalf of seed potato growers and merchants. The announcement brings to a conclusion the long-running review of the sector following the demise of Seed Potato Promotions Ltd in 2002.
Industry group set up to advise on seed potato interests
Agriculture Minister, Ian Pearson today announced the Government’s launch of a Seed Potato Liaison Group (SPLG) to act as an advisory body on behalf of seed potato growers and merchants. The announcement brings to a conclusion the long-running review of the sector following the demise of Seed Potato Promotions Ltd in 2002.
27 June 2013
NIPSA Slam Chancellor's Budget Cuts
Public sector trade union, NIPSA, has criticised Chancellor George Osborne following Wednesday afternoon's Spending Review. Yesterday, Mr Osborne revealed Northern Ireland's budget for the year 2015/16 is to be cut by 2% to £9.6bn.
NIPSA Slam Chancellor's Budget Cuts
Public sector trade union, NIPSA, has criticised Chancellor George Osborne following Wednesday afternoon's Spending Review. Yesterday, Mr Osborne revealed Northern Ireland's budget for the year 2015/16 is to be cut by 2% to £9.6bn.
18 January 2012
UK Govt. Criticised Over Public-Sector Job Cuts
Northern Ireland will be the UK region hardest hit by public sector job cuts. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said that 26,000 public sector jobs would go in NI by 2017. It said the executive must take firm action to defend the NI economy from the coalition government's plans.
UK Govt. Criticised Over Public-Sector Job Cuts
Northern Ireland will be the UK region hardest hit by public sector job cuts. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said that 26,000 public sector jobs would go in NI by 2017. It said the executive must take firm action to defend the NI economy from the coalition government's plans.
14 October 2010
Economy Needs Fillip - Not Cut-backs
Stimulating enterprise and trade must be a priority going beyond public sector cuts says banking economists. According to the Northern Bank's Chief Economist Angela McGowan, (pictured) decision-makers need to bring forward measures for growing the private sector alongside anticapated proposals to slim the public sector.
Economy Needs Fillip - Not Cut-backs
Stimulating enterprise and trade must be a priority going beyond public sector cuts says banking economists. According to the Northern Bank's Chief Economist Angela McGowan, (pictured) decision-makers need to bring forward measures for growing the private sector alongside anticapated proposals to slim the public sector.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.