Question Time: Agriculture and Rural Development Monday 14 September 2015
Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle O’Neill, discussed farm price
difficulties and the crisis in the farming sector during today’s Question
Time. The Minister is “very concerned about the impact on individual
farmers, their families and, indeed, the wider industry” citing global factors
outside our control such as the Russian ban on food imports, reduced demand
from key markets (including China) and a weak euro for the current situation.
The Minister has met with the DEFRA Secretary of State to emphasise the
circumstances in the north and push for urgent EU action saying “In particular,
I have been pushing for a review of intervention threshold rates and immediate
help for the dairy sector, but I have also highlighted the plight of other
sectors.” Mrs O’Neill has also met with MEPs and counterparts from Wales,
Scotland and Ireland in a bid to find a resolution to the difficulties.
During
topical questions Colum Eastwood asked the Minister if she is still confident
of the successful decentralisation of DARD HQ to Ballykelly despite the current
political circumstances. The Minister remains fully committed to the
project, much of the groundwork has been done and staff are keen on the move.
The project will be a tremendous benefit to the North West and result in a
fairer distribution of jobs in the country. The Minister would support moves to
decentralise other departments saying “It is only right and proper that there
is a fairer distribution of public-sector jobs and that rural communities get
to avail themselves of the benefits of the increased footfall of people in
their area, the potential construction jobs and the ongoing servicing of
buildings.”
During
regular Question Time Mrs O’Neill also answered questions on young farmer
payments, rural crime, the Rural Proofing Bill, Ash Dieback disease and the
Farm Business Improvement Scheme. During topical questions the Minister continued
answering Members’ questions on the Forestry Service, banning hunting with dogs
and the Navy incident in Ardglass.
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