The Minister took the opportunity to update the DARD Committee on the December fisheries council, the Red Meat Taskforce and rural development programme.
In relation to the December Fisheries Council meeting, the Minister highlighted the meetings that she has held so far on this issue. To date the Minister has discussed the current state of play with the English and Scottish Ministers. Ms Gildernew also explained that she was to fly out to Brussels to meet Commissioner Borg tomorrow.
In addition the Minister has met with Mary Coughlan on the 7 December. In relation to this meeting, the Minister said: "We have a common interest in resisting cuts in days at sea and securing an increase in the haddock quota, and have agreed to work together on these issues."
Last Wednesday the Minister visited the fishing ports. The Minister highlighted the key issues. She said: "The main issues are maintenance of fishing days and obtaining increases in the Irish Sea Haddock and Herring TACs. It is disappointing that the Commission proposed a 25% cut in fishing days for the Irish Sea as well as a 15% cut in the Haddock TAC and an 8% cut in herring TAC.
"I will continue to resist the proposed cut in days at sea, but the Commissioner is firmly of the view that further restrictions on fishing effort are required. This may mean that the Commission will insist on some level of cut and I am continuing to explore with the industry possible measures which would restore at least in part any reduction in days at sea.
"I continue to believe that our request on haddock and herring are entirely justifiable and I will be fighting strongly for these at next week's Council."
In relation to the Red Meat Taskforce, the Minister explained that progress is being made on a number of areas detailed in the Task Force Report and that the Task Force has organised a series of meetings across the North, to enable beef and sheep producers to hear at first hand the details of the Red Meat Task Force Report. It was emphasised to the Committee that it would be important to offer farmers a cocktail of support, both for those who wish to continue to farm in an economically sustainable way and for those who want to diversify. It was also highlighted that the Taskforce report identified roles for the main stakeholders in implementing the strategy.
Rural development issues were also discussed. The Minister highlighted progress on the roll-out of the Rural Development Plan, noting that approval to set up all seven council clusters to run the programme on the ground should be achieved by mid-December. Emphasising this progress, the Minister said: "Rural Development staff have continued to actively engage with representatives of councils to establish clusters. I expect that the Priority 3 Quality of Life measures will open in spring next year. In addition, tomorrow I am launching the Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme, which will provide £21.5m of funding."
Notes to Editors:
- All media queries to DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619.
