SWANN URGES GREATER SUPPORT FOR LOCAL PRODUCERS
Mr Robin Swann, a leading North Antrim Ulster Unionist, has issued a challenged to both the Department of Agriculture and the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) to boost Ulster ’s farming sector by working more closely together in support of local producers.
Mr Swann is North Antrim UUP Association Treasurer and the Party’s Spokesman on Social Economy, Energy and Consumer Affairs.
He made his plea as guest speaker at the annual general meeting of the party’s Ahoghill branch, which was also attended by party leader and East Belfast MLA Sir Reg Empey.
Mr Swann told the meeting: “We have also heard many calls from all sectors of the farming industry – from producers to processors – of the need to buy local produce.
“This theme of supporting Northern Ireland farmers and promoting Northern Ireland by buying from Northern Ireland farmers is something which the Stormont agriculture minister must be commended for.
“Currently, all tenders at this level are handled by the CPD. It is here that the Stormont power-sharing Executive can play its part in supporting and developing Northern Ireland ’s local agri-food business.
“However, I am aware that I am not asking for preferential treatment towards our local producers and processors as under European Union laws, buyers cannot restrict their purchases to specific locations or suppliers.
“Therefore, the challenge facing both the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the CPD is to work with suppliers to help them compete more successfully at a local level.
“The promotion of local produce is a common cry. Now we have the opportunity to see if our Stormont Executive is willing to listen.
“The agri-food sector is a major player and employer in Northern Ireland . But to succeed, the entire agri-food industry needs to join up and form a long-term strategy, not a plan lasting only three to five years.
“This would involve a ten-year plus strategy bringing together research, production, supply and marketing. Togetherness is the key – not the current situation where we have different sections of the same industry seemingly working at odds with each other.
“The reality is that our Province’s agricultural industry has faced many difficulties – but still we survive. We have had to overcome BSE, Foot and Mouth, the threat from bird flu, and latterly Blue Tongue.
“It was the actions and abilities of our devolved administration to act independently to the rest of the United Kingdom which helped us greatly in all of these cases.
“But that same administration could also very easily sign the death warrant for the future of farming. That future was under threat from the EU nitrates directive, but DARD and its minister solved that problem by selling off one of the jewels of agri-research in the UK – Crossnacrevy.
“While the money from that sale has been greatly welcomed and has solved the immediate problem, what about future research which could have been carried out there?
“We should never forget that Northern Ireland ’s agricultural research and development was once at the forefront of global farming.
“We need to see the continued support of agri-research and development in Northern Ireland ,” said Mr Swann.