UUP MEP calls for Commissioner Fischer Boel to intervene on extension for Farm Nutrient Management Scheme
Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson received a briefing this week from the agriculture Minister, David Cairns MP on the extension of the Northern Ireland Farm Nutrient Management Scheme (FNMS) and is seeking the intervention of EU agriculture Commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel in Strasbourg next week.
Mr Nicholson expressed his hope that Northern Ireland will achieve a much needed extension of the scheme beyond the 30th November.
The Farm Nutrient Management Scheme (FNMS) was introduced to assist farmers to comply with the implementation of the EU’s Nitrates Directive and therefore help to ensure that water quality is improved through the provision of financial assistance for additional storage capacity for livestock manures and slurries.
Without an extension to the scheme the vast majority of farmers will not be able to complete their work on time by the 30th November
In a statement Mr Nicholson said,
“It is my intention to meet with Commissioner Fischer Boel and other Commission officials next week to discuss the issue and to try and achieve a resolution to this impasse. I am extremely concerned that this is going down to the wire and clouded in so much uncertainty.
“I have been in touch with key stakeholders, such as the Ulster Farmers Union as well as speaking to farmers on the ground.
“It is of vital importance to our farming community that an extension to the FNMS is granted.”