Committee Chairperson, Linda Dillon, talks Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
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Linda Dillon - Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs |
As we enter
a new Assembly mandate, the Agriculture, Environment and Rural AffairsCommittee (AERA) is set to face many exciting opportunities as well as its fair
share of challenges.
Recent
changes to the structure and responsibilities of a number of Executive
Departments, including DAERA, has meant that we will effectively start afresh
as an entirely new Committee with an extremely important and extensive remit. It
is therefore essential that we take this time to re-evaluate how the Committee
will work to best support our rural communities.
Agriculture
remains one of our most important local industries and one that we are
immensely proud of. And with good
reason; we produce some of the finest food in the world. However, the recent volatility in the
agricultural marketplace resulting in lower prices for our meat, dairy and
arable produce has had severe consequences for many in our farming communities.
The fact that farm incomes here, which are already lower than those in England,
Scotland and Wales, decreased by 40% between 2014 and 2015, demonstrates the
very real difficulties our farmers continue to face.
While global factors and fluctuations in the
exchange rate will continue to be difficult to mitigate and will indeed often
be beyond our control, my Committee will continue to advocate on behalf of farmers
to ensure that they receive fair prices from processors and retailers.
It is also
crucial that the Executive, which has recognised the agricultural sector as a key
growth area and future driver for the local economy, continues to develop and
sustain a proactive approach towards supporting and progressing the industry
and the lives of rural dwellers. This will be of particular relevance following
the outcome of the recent EU referendum, which continues to create a great deal
of confusion and unease among those in the farming sector.
As the first
Chairperson of the new Committee, balancing the needs of the agricultural
sector and our farming communities, while at the same time strengthening our
commitment to protecting and enhancing the rural environment, will
be one of my top priorities.
Many would
argue that the two do not always go hand and hand, but of course that would be
too simplistic a viewpoint to take.
Advances in agricultural diversity initiatives and agri-environment
schemes has provided new and exciting funding and business opportunities for
farmers and rural dwellers; as well as helping to promote and protect our
natural environment. There may still be some way to go in terms of developing a
cohesive approach to integrating agricultural and environmental strategy and
policy, but I am determined at the outset that the Committee focus will be on
ensuring the best possible outcomes for both sectors.
Brexit will obviously be an extremely important issue for the Committee in the coming months and while we may have very differing views, there is a very real determination that we want to work together to ensure the best possible deal for farmers and rural dwellers.This will not be easy and I make no bones about that statement; the
future of our relationship with Europe, as things stand, remains uncertain.
The
Committee met with key stakeholders in the wake of the vote and were left in no
doubt that there are very real concerns, not only about the future of farm
subsidies and environmental protections, but also in terms of the impact
possible trade barriers and export tariffs could have on the industry.
There is
also unease among rural organisations on how Brexit could affect future funding
to tackle rural isolation and deprivation.
The needs and interests of rural dwellers must be at the forefront of
all future negotiations.
As
Chairperson, I welcome the fact that the Minister is establishing a senior team
to consider the possible implications of Brexit. This is a necessary and
proactive step and the Committee will carefully consider and discuss the team’s
findings and recommendations.
There can be
no doubt that Brexit will, for the foreseeable future, remain prominent on the
Committee’s agenda, but we will also be meeting in the coming weeks to develop
a range of key priorities for the coming mandate.
Central to
the Committee’s objectives will be a commitment to meeting with and listening
to as many of our stakeholders as possible. Whether this is through meetings,
events or visits, I am determined that we will take every opportunity to
connect effectively at a grass roots level and to deliver for the communities
and indeed all of the people we represent.
You can follow the Committee on Twitter @NIAAgriEnvRA
This piece first appeared in Farm Week on 1 September 2016.
You can follow the Committee on Twitter @NIAAgriEnvRA
This piece first appeared in Farm Week on 1 September 2016.
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