Allister updated on Rural Development Programme
19 October 2007
Jim Allister MEP has met with DARD officials, to discuss progress made to date around the new Rural Development Programme for Northern Ireland.
Commenting on the Programme Mr Allister said,
“I was anxious to receive answers to a number of questions I have around the manner in which the new £515 million Programme is being implemented. In particular, my concerns around an additional £15 million being allocated into Axis 3 shortly after Michelle Gildernew took office.
It was confirmed that this £15 million could, and I would strongly assert should have been spent on reducing the rate of voluntary modulation to Northern Ireland farmers at what is an extremely difficult time for many.”
“Commissioner Fischer Boel has said Rural Development should assist with addressing some of the economic and environmental difficulties facing our farming sectors. While other Member States have apportioned over a third of their respective Rural Development budgets into Axis 1 Increasing Competitiveness priorities, only £45 million is being made available in Northern Ireland over the next 7 years, which represents about 8% of the total Budget.”
“My conclusion on the way moneys have been apportioned, is that Agriculture has lost out on vital funds to assist with the restructuring and modernisation of the industry. The timing of this couldn’t have been more crucial, with the Red Meat Industry Taskforce Report highlighting losses of £200 million facing that sector, while coinciding with the Intensive pig and poultry sectors facing substantial losses due to rising feed costs. Combined with the need for a fund to assist with restructuring within our Dairy sector, it would seem the pot is extremely limited to deliver any meaningful impact.”
“I reiterated my desire that Programme funds should be made available as a matter of urgency.”
ENDS
