Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle O’Neill, was full of optimism for
Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry during today’s Question
Time. It is “a major driver for success in our rural economy” and one of
the few sectors to grow in spite of the economic downturn. The challenges set
out for the industry in the Agri-Food Strategy Board’s ‘Going
for Growth’ report will be challenging but “doable”. The aim is to create
15,000 new jobs, increase sales by 60% to £7bn and promote more sales in new
markets by 2020. A recent visit to China has already laid the foundations for engaging
foreign markets. The recently announced Agri-Food loan scheme
is just the first phase of meeting the ‘Going for Growth’ targets and “significant”
investment has been set aside to implement the Strategy Board’s recommendations.
Concerns
over Northern Ireland’s trees were also expressed as the Minister was
questioned about the recent outbreaks of Larch Tree disease
and Ash Dieback disease.
Since Larch Tree disease was first discovered in Northern Ireland in 2010 more
than 600 hectares of trees have been felled in infected areas. The recent
outbreak of Ash dieback in Leitrim was described as “regrettable but not
unexpected”. DARD has been working with the Forest Service, DAFM and DEFRA to investigate the best course of
action to contain the problem. Ms O’Neill also confirmed that there is grant
support available for any landowners affected by the felling of trees on their
land. The funding aims to encourage regrowth of species less susceptible to the
disease.
