Allister meets DARD Permanent Secretary on range of issues
06 March 2008
Traditional Unionist MEP, Jim Allister has met with DARD Permanent Secretary, Dr Mc Kibbin. A number of issues were raised by the MEP, including the roll out of the new Rural Development Programme, Aid for the pig and redmeat intensive sectors, Rural Planning and the CAP Health Check.
Mr Allister said,
“I had an extensive discussion in relation to the roll out of the new £530m Rural Development Programme. After a substantive delay, I am informed that Council clusters have finally been agreed, to make way for the setting up of Local Action Groups. These LAG’s will ultimately determine how money will be spent according to Local Action Plans. I emphasised the importance of DARD embarking on an information campaign to raise awareness among farmers, and rural dwellers of the funding that will become available from the Summer.”
“In relation to aid for the intensive sectors, I was informed that DARD had concluded that assistance with interest payments, akin to the French scheme would not be in the best interests of the pig sector. In response, I reminded the Department that the local pig herd had declined by 8% in the past year alone, and that ‘soft’ measures would not suffice at this time of crisis.”
“It is essential that the local agriculture industry is prepared for, and assisted with, changed market conditions that will arise from the CAP Health Check, and more fundamentally from 2013 on. DARD cannot continue to take a ‘backseat’ approach in the crucial discussions that lie ahead.”
ENDS
