It's time for DARD to turn platitudes into action - Allister
26 August 2008
10 days on from the substantial flood damage Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has criticized the inaction of the NI Executive in helping the agricultural sector.
In a statement Jim Allister said:-
“10 days on from the severe impact of flooding on our agricultural sector, we have seen no help from DARD or the Executive for farmers who have lost stock and crops. The potato sector has been hit particularly hard, with many farmers having lost a substantial portion of their crop.
The Executive boasts of delivering local solutions for local problems and of a caring attitude, Well, platitudes aside, what have they done? We’ve seen Minister Gildernew offer sympathy and other Ministers promising action, but still nothing has been offered to farmers with devastating livelihood losses.
Since the overall scale of damage in the UK is probably below the €3Billion threshold necessary to trigger help direct from the EU Solidarity Fund, the ball is firmly back in the Executive’s court, with DARD, which poses as “the rural Champion”, required to deliver for farmers.
Aid can be given, either by availing of the de minimus options, or, more likely through aid which can meet state aid rules. In terms of state aid rules, there is, I believe, a strong argument that such help as is needed would not qualify as state aid because it would have no effect on trade between member states. If there is no such effect, then the state aid rules need not apply. If permission is required, then pursuant to the relevant Community Guidelines (2006/C319/01) there is considerable scope to help in circumstances where the loss is significant. Either way, it is now up to DARD to expeditiously come up with an aid package, which must not get bogged down like the last time weather aid was promised.
Under EU rules I believe the way ahead is via aid under the “de minimus” rules for those with modest losses and by an application under the State Aid Regulations where the threshold of loss of 30% of normal production is surpassed.”
