Fischer-Boel assures Allister FNMS Extension 'will be sorted'
14 November 2006
Jim Allister MEP has again discussed the necessity for a 2 year extension to the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme in Northern Ireland with Commissioner Fischer-Boel in Strasbourg. This scheme, which makes available assistance to farmers to increase slurry storage capacity, is vital to making the industry compliant with the Nitrates Directive. Mr Allister stressed to the Commissioner that if the scheme, due to expire this month, is not extended, then there is no prospect of NI agriculture becoming Nitrates Directive compliant and, thus, Europe's expectations will be frustrated.
At present the proposed extension is bogged down in controversy with DG Competition in Brussels, who, most unreasonably, are suggesting the state aid involved could be anti-competitive, "even though the same Directorate did not blink an eyelid" said the Ulster MEP, "when the Republic of Ireland recently got a scheme through permitting aid till the end of 2008, the same end date as we require."
Following his discussions Mr Allister said, "I am confident that Fischer-Boel is on board on this issue and, moreover, she expressed considerable confidence that the matter will be resolved. Her assurance was "this matter will be sorted". I've no doubt she understands the urgency of this matter."
