Gildernew attends meeting of agriculture ministers

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew has met with her counterparts from the other devolved administrations for the first time.

The meeting in London was chaired by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, David Milliband, and involved other Defra Ministers, together with the newly installed Ministers from Scotland and Wales.

Given the meeting’s format and nature of issues under discussion, Environment Minister, Arlene Foster, was also in attendance.

The Minister discussed a range of issues. Speaking after the meeting, the Minister said: “This was a welcome opportunity to begin the process of forging new relationships across the four administrations and to explain and listen to the challenges we all face.”

Acknowledging Environment Minister Arlene Foster’s attendance, Ms Gildernew suggested it augured well for joined up working between DARD and DOE.

The Minister added: “I look forward to regular participation in such meetings and will be a strong voice for the interests of our local industry.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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