Gildernew focuses on economic matters at Balmoral

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA put economic concerns at the heart of her annual address to a range of stakeholders at the Balmoral Breakfast.

European Agriculture Commissioner Marianne Fischer Boels also addressed the delegates and toured the show with the Minister.

Beginning her speech, the Minister outlined the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its future development, saying: “We need to make sure that the CAP keeps pace with the challenges facing the agriculture industry and rural communities. We need to take the time to think our way through what we expect the CAP to achieve and what we in the North want from it.”

In addition, the Minister put emphasis on the impact of the Single Farm Payment (SFP) saying: “The SFP is not just a payment to farmers. It is an investment in the rural society and environment that is a hugely important part of our shared heritage.

She also focused on difficulties facing the local dairy industry, highlighting new efforts that are underway with her DETI counterpart Minister Arlene Foster. She said: “Arlene Foster and I have agreed to support the dairy competitiveness study which has been initiated by the industry itself.

“We all want to see a sustainable dairy sector that is able to compete globally in markets which produce a fair return to both producers and processors.”

Speaking about the continuing threat posed by Bluetongue disease, the Minister said: “I again appeal to anyone who may be considering importing livestock from Bluetongue-affected areas to reconsider. Do not put your farm business, and your industry, in jeopardy.”

To round up her speech the Minister shifted to the roll-out of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) and the Farm Modernisation Scheme (FMP). She reflected on the roll-out of the first tranche of FMP and discussed future tranches. She said: “I was very grateful to the Ulster Farmers’ Union and NIAPA for their public expressions of support for the Farm Modernisation Scheme. After discussions with the European Commission, I announced last month that the first tranche of funding, £6million, would proceed.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership, as the managing agent to deliver the Farm Modernisation Programme and other measures within Axis I of the Rural Development Programme. Despite the current public expenditure circumstances, I will continue to look at how we might make additional funding available for future tranches of the Farm Modernisation Programme."

To conclude, the Minister said: “There needs to be a more equitable distribution of the rewards and the pain associated with the food supply chain if we are to encourage investment, to involve appropriately skilled people and to further improve confidence. Hard work never hurt anyone and I am always ready to roll up my sleeves to get the best possible outcome for the industry. As part of this work I will be inviting the leaders of the four main banks in the North to meet with me to discuss the effects of the economic downturn.

“I believe strongly that since the return of a local administration we have made a significant difference to the way in which we address the challenges facing the sector and to the way in which we engage with the European Commission. I want to continue to work in partnership with all of you to successfully address these challenges.”

Notes to Editors:

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