Menu
11/05/2006
New Agriculture Minister attends Balmoral Show
The new Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), David Cairns, has today carried out his first engagement under his agricultural and rural development brief.
Mr Cairns attended the Balmoral Show, at the Kings Hall in Belfast, to meet with some of the members from Northern Ireland's farming and rural community.
Speaking at the show, the Minister said: "The Balmoral Show is an excellent early opportunity for me to see farming in all its different dimensions. My priority is to familiarise myself with the all the issues at the top of the agriculture agenda in Northern Ireland and I look forward to meeting our industry partners shortly.
"I want to work with the farming community to help the industry maximise its potential. Farming impacts on us all, whether urban or rural dweller. We all share the legacy and the responsibility of ensuring that the land provides sustainable livelihoods, protected for future generations."
The new Agriculture and Rural Development Minister continued: "Of course, the farming industry is part and parcel of the agri-food sector, an industry which employs over 50,000 people. Helping this sector protect and expand its remit is also part of my role.
"In addition, my department is actively involved in rural development. Rural life encompasses a wide range of issues and topics. Ensuring that people in rural areas have options, in some cases beyond farming is a challenge which I am looking forward to."
David Cairns added that this years Balmoral Show was very positive as it was taking place in the wake of the lifting of the Beef Ban.
"For the first time in a decade, Northern Ireland beef is back on the menu in Europe. Obviously this opens up many opportunities for local farmers. I will work with the farming community in maximising the opportunities for new markets, whilst also ensuring that firm biosecurity arrangements are in place," he said.
He continued by saying that the Show is an excellent opportunity to enable him to see the the best in Northern Ireland's farming and rural economy, but also to allow him to meet with the people who are closely involved in it.
Mr Cairns was joined by former Northern Ireland Farming Minister, Jeff Rooker who was attending the show to wish the rural and farming community well as he handed over his duties to his predecessor.
Lord Rooker is now Minister of State for DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
(EF/SP)
Mr Cairns attended the Balmoral Show, at the Kings Hall in Belfast, to meet with some of the members from Northern Ireland's farming and rural community.
Speaking at the show, the Minister said: "The Balmoral Show is an excellent early opportunity for me to see farming in all its different dimensions. My priority is to familiarise myself with the all the issues at the top of the agriculture agenda in Northern Ireland and I look forward to meeting our industry partners shortly.
"I want to work with the farming community to help the industry maximise its potential. Farming impacts on us all, whether urban or rural dweller. We all share the legacy and the responsibility of ensuring that the land provides sustainable livelihoods, protected for future generations."
The new Agriculture and Rural Development Minister continued: "Of course, the farming industry is part and parcel of the agri-food sector, an industry which employs over 50,000 people. Helping this sector protect and expand its remit is also part of my role.
"In addition, my department is actively involved in rural development. Rural life encompasses a wide range of issues and topics. Ensuring that people in rural areas have options, in some cases beyond farming is a challenge which I am looking forward to."
David Cairns added that this years Balmoral Show was very positive as it was taking place in the wake of the lifting of the Beef Ban.
"For the first time in a decade, Northern Ireland beef is back on the menu in Europe. Obviously this opens up many opportunities for local farmers. I will work with the farming community in maximising the opportunities for new markets, whilst also ensuring that firm biosecurity arrangements are in place," he said.
He continued by saying that the Show is an excellent opportunity to enable him to see the the best in Northern Ireland's farming and rural economy, but also to allow him to meet with the people who are closely involved in it.
Mr Cairns was joined by former Northern Ireland Farming Minister, Jeff Rooker who was attending the show to wish the rural and farming community well as he handed over his duties to his predecessor.
Lord Rooker is now Minister of State for DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
(EF/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 April 2002
Trimble launches Lisburn rural development strategy
"Northern Ireland’s rural communities are an essential part of our way of life and must be encouraged and assisted," according to the First Minister, David Trimble.
Trimble launches Lisburn rural development strategy
"Northern Ireland’s rural communities are an essential part of our way of life and must be encouraged and assisted," according to the First Minister, David Trimble.
21 February 2003
Union meeting to vote on future of rural schools
The leader of the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) is to address the NAS/UWT union on Friday night over the exodus of farm workers that is threatening the future of a number of rural schools across Northern Ireland.
Union meeting to vote on future of rural schools
The leader of the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) is to address the NAS/UWT union on Friday night over the exodus of farm workers that is threatening the future of a number of rural schools across Northern Ireland.
03 August 2022
Vigilance Needed To Tackle Rural Crime – DUP
The DUP has called for vigilance to tackle rural crime, following the release of the NFUs Rural Crime Report 2022. The report showed a fall of over 33% in the number of incidents over the last 12 months in Northern Ireland, but that the rural crime in Northern Ireland in 2021 was valued at £1.7m.
Vigilance Needed To Tackle Rural Crime – DUP
The DUP has called for vigilance to tackle rural crime, following the release of the NFUs Rural Crime Report 2022. The report showed a fall of over 33% in the number of incidents over the last 12 months in Northern Ireland, but that the rural crime in Northern Ireland in 2021 was valued at £1.7m.
17 November 2006
New support brochure for rural enterprises launched
As part of National Enterprise Week 2006, a new support brochure designed specifically for rural businesses called, 'A look at opening your business to new prospects' was launched at Loughry College, Cookstown.
New support brochure for rural enterprises launched
As part of National Enterprise Week 2006, a new support brochure designed specifically for rural businesses called, 'A look at opening your business to new prospects' was launched at Loughry College, Cookstown.
23 July 2014
£623m Allocated For Rural Development Programme
A budget of £623m has been allocated for the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020, it has been announced. Rural Minister Michelle O’Neill has said the 2014-2020 RDP budget would be allocated across three specific areas: protecting the rural environment, developing rural economies and competitiveness of agriculture.
£623m Allocated For Rural Development Programme
A budget of £623m has been allocated for the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020, it has been announced. Rural Minister Michelle O’Neill has said the 2014-2020 RDP budget would be allocated across three specific areas: protecting the rural environment, developing rural economies and competitiveness of agriculture.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Another cloudy and mild night with the odd spot of light drizzle. More widespread outbreaks of rain will spread southeast into western parts of Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry late in the night. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
