Allister rejects spurious DUP comments on agriculture
22 May 2009
Jim Allister MEP has responded to a spurious attack from the DUP, that none of the current Northern Ireland MEP's have sought to meet with the DEFRA Secretary of State.
“I reject this latest spurious attempt by the DUP to bring into question my representation of farming, when they know I have provided nothing but first class dedicated service over the past 5 years –which is in utter contrast to the DUP’s new found interest in EU matters at election time.
For the record, I have had dozens, approaching hundreds of dealings with DEFRA on a range of agricultural issues, including numerous letters to the Secretary of State. Furthermore, what McCrea does not recognise is that the UK Permanent Representation in Brussels is the obvious point of contact for MEP’s to engage with DEFRA directly at the highest level, providing as it does a sort of ambassadorial function to the European Commission. I have had regular contact with the UK Permanent Representation, including recently in lobbying the UK Government to support the reintroduction of dairy export refunds.”
“I have worked tirelessly to champion the interests of Northern Ireland farmers and their families in my first term as MEP. I am confident that my record will be acknowledged in the support I receive on 4th June.”
