Allister meets UFU leadership team
01 April 2009
As preparations for the forthcoming European Elections get underway, Jim Allister MEP has taken the opportunity of meeting with the leadership team of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, to discuss a range of agriculture related issues. Jim Allister met with UFU President Graham Furey, and Chief Executive Clarke Black.
The MEP said,
“Agriculture has played a very big part of my work in Brussels over the past 5 years.
I recognise the importance to Northern Ireland’s farmers and agri-food businesses of having elected representatives who are fully informed and motivated to give effective representation of their interests in Europe. I trust I have provided this representation thus far, and look forward to continuing in my efforts into the next term”.
“We took the opportunity of discussing a wide range of issues which are likely to emerge in the next European Parliament term of 2009-2014, particularly mindful that this will coincide with another major reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. Without doubt, the primary challenge will be to ensure the CAP Budget remains intact, and to maximise funds which can be drawn on by Northern Ireland farmers. We also exchanged ideas about reducing red tape, as well as rewarding higher production standards with additional payments so as to avoid any competitive distortions in what is increasingly becoming a World market trading place. These discussions were indeed useful, particularly so in ensuring my manifesto is founded upon the needs of grassroots farmers and farming families.”
ENDS
