Gildernew calls on everyone in rural community to give their views on Less Favoured Areas support consultation

Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has reminded farmers and the rural community of the current period of public consultation on future options for support arrangements for Less Favoured Areas (LFAs).

The Minister said: “The response so far to the launch of the LFA consultation on 5 March has been very encouraging but I would like to hear more people’s views.

“As it currently stands, we provide support of over £22million into Less Favoured Areas here annually. This consultation is essentially asking the rural community how it thinks we should spend this money in future. This support provides a significant investment into the rural economy each year. In the current economic climate, we must ensure that we meet rural needs and deliver the best value for money. “It is therefore vital that everyone with an interest in this subject should have their say and let us know what they think before the consultation closes on 29 May.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Over the past 18 months, DARD has been reviewing these support arrangements to determine if they still have a useful role to play and to prepare for expected changes to the EU legislation governing the scheme. The substantial consultation document sets out the background to the provision of LFA support and contains a very comprehensive body of evidence against which the future role of LFA support has been assessed. The document presents four alternative approaches to future LFA support and the views of stakeholders are now being sought on these options.

The consultation document and other relevant documents can be viewed at www.dardni.gov.uk/consultations. Copies in other formats, e.g. large print, Braille, CD, audio-cassette and other languages can be obtained from:

Textphone (for those with hearing difficulties): 028 9052 4420

e-mail: policy.development@dardni.gov.uk

The closing date for responses to the consultation is 29 May 2009.

It is intended to make copies of the responses received publicly available on the DARD website at the end of the consultation period.

2. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.