Allister promises relentless pursuit of DEFRA
24 April 2010
Speaking after canvassing at the weekly cattle market in Ballymena TUV Leader Jim Allister said:-
“One of the big challenges in the next Parliament for Northern Ireland farmers will be trying to tame the anti-farming stance of DEFRA.
“One of the things I saw and learned in Brussels is that when DEFRA should have been fighting for farming interests it was more often fighting against us. This was hugely frustrating and caused me to vow that if ever I held a position where I could hold DEFRA to account I would be relentless in their pursuit.
“Within Europe DEFRA is the key player in negotiations, whether in farming or fishing. Devolved ministers are mere bit players. We rely on the UK Minister to fight our case at the Council of Ministers. Time and again they have failed us. So, persistent pressure in parliament is key to improving the situation, particularly as we move forward into serious CAP negotiations.
“The new government must be brought to see and realise that the particular needs of Northern Ireland must be defended and met in the CAP reform. Facilitating regional interests is not just an option but a necessity in any new CAP package, whether it be in how the Single Farm Payment is calculated or in aids for specific sectors.
“Getting the right deal for Northern Ireland in an EU of 27 is hard enough in itself, without our own government fighting against us. So, persuading and pressurising DEFRA is a key task for our new MPs interested in the future of agriculture in this region.”
