Gildernew visits Tyrone and Fermanagh farmers

Agriculture Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, has visited two farms in Counties Tyrone and Fermanagh and the newly refurbished Inniskeen House, Enniskillen.

Speaking after the visits, the Minister said: “Today has been a great opportunity for me to hear more about farming in the west and also to see how our new Enniskillen office, which offers a one-stop shop approach to farmers queries, is becoming established.”

The Minister visited the organic farm of Hamilton and Simon Kee, Omagh, which produces Aberdeen Angus beef cattle, as well as a range of vegetables and crops. An unusual feature of the farm is the 100 year old hydro-electric generator which provides electricity for the whole farm. The Kee family participate in countryside management schemes and farm with nature and biodiversity.

The Minister also visited Michael and James Murphy’s dairy farm in Tempo. Recent farm developments include investment in slurry storage in compliance with the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme (FNMS), entry into the Countryside Management Scheme and involvement in the Peace Group Funding programme. They have also been involved in the Focus Farm programme.

She said: “It is clear to me that despite the challenges faced by the farming community, both these farming families are good examples of an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to building sustainable farms, not just for their families, but within the wider rural economy.”

Ms Gildernew also visited the DARD Direct office at Inishkeen House, Enniskillen. The office, which opened for business earlier this year, is a new one-stop shop, where DARD staff are able to deal with farmers’ queries under one roof.

The Minister said: “DARD Direct is a great example of the department taking a new customer-focussed approach and trying to streamline customer service. This pilot is being evaluated but I would hope that we would be able to plan for other areas for a similar approach to customer service”. The Minister also commended staff for endorsing and initiating new ideas and for providing excellent service to their farmers.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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