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With the return of devolution, the Ulster Unionist Party are calling for action to address the problems facing local farm businesses with the formal launch of their policy document entitled ‘Fair Play For Our Farmers’.

The initiative seeks to ensure that growers and producers receive a fairer portion of the price paid at the supermarket for food, so that the farmgate price is more reflective of the costs of production and more accurately mirrors the costs of increasingly higher production standards and regulations.

In a statement UUP agriculture and rural development spokesman, Tom Elliott MLA, said: “The agri-food sector is of great importance to the entire economy of Northern Ireland, its profitability and success has a knock-on effect on the sustainability of our communities both rural and urban.

“The harsh economic conditions experienced by the sector unfortunately means that more and more are leaving the land with fewer choosing to enter the industry. Our farmers increasingly fulfil the role of custodians of the countryside and a continued exodus from the profession will ultimately be detrimental to our unique and diverse natural landscape.”

Tom, who will take up the position of vice-chair in the Assembly Agriculture Committee, added: “Ulster Unionists are proposing a voluntary framework in which the supermarkets, processors and local farmers work together to identify best-practice to promote the interests and competitiveness of local farmers.

“There would be an obvious commercial advantage in supermarkets voluntarily supporting such a framework – it demonstrates in a clear way to consumers the supermarkets’ commitment to local farmers and local food.

“There would also be a role for the Northern Ireland Executive in giving support to the scheme and endorsing it. This would signal the commitment of the Executive to the sustainable development of Northern Ireland’s countryside and rural communities.”

Concluding he said: “The Ulster Unionist Party is committed to Northern Ireland’s farmers – and to the cause of local food. Our economic, social and environmental well-being needs fair play for our farmers. It is time to deliver.”

Ulster Unionist MLAs Billy Armstrong and Ken Robinson have voiced their hope that the Boyne battlefield site will make a major contribution toward promoting a positive vision of the shared history of the peoples who live in these islands.

The pair commented after joining with the First Minister, the Taoiseach and other dignitaries who attended the 1690 battlefield site today.

In a statement, Mid Ulster MLA Billy Armstrong said: “The Boyne Valley is an area that holds a special place in the history of these islands. Its impact on the course of European history was of major significance and so it is only right for events such as today’s to take place.

“The green, grassy slopes of the Boyne carry tremendous value as an historical, cultural and tourism asset. It is for all the people of these islands, and beyond, to enjoy.

“I trust that many more similar events of this nature – where we appreciate and recognise our shared history and traditions – can take place in the future.”

East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson said: “Those who come from the Orange tradition have a great affiliation to the Boyne. Clearly what took place here so many years ago has the power to bring people together from all traditions across Northern Ireland and the Republic.

“I am pleased to see that Mr Ahern’s government has recognised the historical significance and tourism potential of the site and are in the process of establishing a visitor’s centre in the area.”

Stormont Finance Committee member, and East Antrim MLA, Roy Beggs Jnr, has voiced his disappointment that, as the Executive meets for the first time today, the final details of the financial package remain unresolved.

In a statement, the UUP MLA said: “Two parties have been guilty of peddling false impressions and unwisely raising expectations. Firstly, from the Secretary of State, that considerable new money would be in place; and secondly, from the DUP, that the finances could be improved upon before the executive met. Neither statement is borne out by the facts.

“The bottomline is that as the Executive meets today there appears to be a hole in the finances.

“The DUP held up the financial package as a precondition for entering the executive and last week even threatened to stay away from Stormont. The fact is that DUP Ministers who were in negotiations have not as yet revealed any full and final package. Meaningless spin from No 11 has been aggravated by more meaningless spin from Dundela Avenue.

“Where the DUP’s unilateral approach failed, I hope the Executive’s collective approach can succeed. We have always believed that the more forceful argument could be made to the Chancellor by a united Executive acting corporately on behalf of Northern Ireland.”

UUP MEP Jim Nicholson told an audience at a NICVA conference this morning on how Northern Ireland can make the Most of the European Union that politicians at Stormont must be prepared to deal with the Brussels context and be equipped with the right tools to help maximise and enhance the Assembly’s relationship with Europe.

In the course of Mr Nicholson’s remarks he said,

“One of the complaints I would have made over the years against Direct Rule Ministers was that we as MEPs were rarely consulted on the Government’s priorities for Northern Ireland and if we were it was normally far too late to do anything. So you can imagine my consternation when MEPs were not included in the recent visit by Commission President Barroso

“I can only assume that we were deliberately sidelined and if we were this was an extremely bad policy on behalf of the First and Deputy First minister. Not only has there been no contact from the new Executive to ask us how we can best link in with them there is a deafening silence on what they intend to do. I would have expected better of them.”

Mr Nicholson also added that despite, “how noble the founding intentions of the EU were, they are not enough to inspire the type of change and reform the EU and its institutions require if it is to be fit for purpose in another fifty years.

“You do not have to support the single currency or a European constitution with a legal mind of its own to be a proud European and a supporter of nation states in Europe cooperating in areas where we are stronger working together than we are working apart”, he said.”