'Profitable' food industry, 'healthy' environment and 'thriving' rural economy: NI's vision for the future announced

Northern Ireland's Agricultural Minister Michelle McIlveen has put forward a "profitable" agri-food industry, a "healthy" environment and a "thriving" rural economy at the heart of her vision for the future.

During a briefing for the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, the Minister said since taking the post of Agricultural Minister, she made priorities in order to achieve a vision of a "thriving and sustainable" economy, environment and rural community.

Miss McIlveen told Members of the Legislative Assembly that in order to achieve her vision she will prioritise three broad, strategic and interdependent objectives.

These will be to deliver a "profitable" agri-food, fisheries and forestry sector; to ensure a "clean, healthy" environment that benefits people, nature and the economy and to promote a "thriving" rural economy that contributes to prosperity and wellbeing.

She said that in delivering profitability across all sectors, her focus will be on improving the economic and environmental performance of businesses.

'Significant potential for further growth'

She went on to say: "The agri-food sector plays a pivotal role in the local economy, with an annual turnover of almost £5billion and over 20,000 employees.

"Despite the recent difficult trading environment, there is still significant potential for further growth.

"Soon I will announce the opening of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme capital element which, I believe, will help to sustainably grow the sector.

"Growth must be sustainable, there is no point producing more if the market is not available."

"I am also acutely aware of the very challenging market conditions that farmers have faced.

"There has been an improvement on the price of sheep, cattle and milk for our local farmers"

"Whilst the vast majority of contributing factors are outside our control, we will continue to do all that we can to assist.

"In October, we will issue a 70% advance to Basic and Greening Payments to eligible farm businesses where all checks have been completed.

"I also recognise the importance of research. Over the next two years I intend to commission over £7million of new research from AFBI and our local universities.

"This will be done in collaboration with other institutes across the world and will allow us to access important research with a value of over £30million."

'Streamline and transform environmental regulations'

Addressing the issue of a clean and healthy environment, the Minister told MLAs there are plans to regulate, educate and incentivise organisations, businesses and individuals to protect and improve the natural environment.

"This includes the Environmental Farming Scheme, a programme to streamline and transform environmental regulations and look for opportunities to work in partnership to meet both environmental and economic needs," Miss McIlveen said.

"We are also exploring the most effective and efficient way of delivering environmental advice to our customers in order to comply with legislative requirements; to improve the environment; and to enable businesses to be profitable and sustainable."

The Minister then touched on her plans for promoting a thriving rural economy which contributes to prosperity and wellbeing.

She said: "Almost 40% of our population lives in a rural area and I will ensure that the needs of those living in rural areas are articulated around the Executive table.

"My focus will be to ensure we support local businesses to grow. I would like to see job creation as the cornerstone of our programmes."

'Positive Brexit impact'

Addressing the issue of Brexit, the Minister told the committee there has been a "positive Brexit impact" on the agri-food industry.

"We have seen a significant depreciation on the value of sterling compared to both the euro and dollar and this is beneficial to exporting companies.

"As a result, there has been an improvement on the price of sheep, cattle and milk for our local farmers.

"Northern Ireland goods are more competitive in export markets and the costs of food products coming into the UK are more expensive compared to locally produced products.

"More visitors and shoppers are coming to Northern Ireland and, in particular, to our rural towns and villages.

"Devaluation of sterling is likely to have a positive impact on the value of basic farm payments to farmers."

'Sustainable growth and competitiveness'

Miss McIlveen went on to outline her policy priorities as the UK moves towards exiting the European Union.

"We will continue to roll out the various programmes within the Rural Development Programme and have agreed a process to consider future implications on a case by case basis after the Autumn Budget Statement.

"Secondly, I am acutely aware of the importance of the agri-food sector to our economy. I want an agricultural policy framework that underpins its sustainable growth and competitiveness.

"t is vital that we get the best deal possible for Northern Ireland as the UK negotiates the terms of exit.

"I want to see open trading arrangements continue for existing markets, and a much more progressive approach to developing new markets across the world," Miss McIlveen concluded.