Supporting all farming sectors was highlighted as a priority in an end-of-year statement released today by Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill, but concerns were raised on the delivery of Department services due to budget cuts next year.

The new Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) faces cuts of close to 6% in Stormont’s 2016/17 budget. Minister O’Neill said that these cuts were affecting the delivery of public services, but added that the Department would do everything within its power to protect the local agri-food industry.

Tomorrow also marks the start of the Year of Food & Drink 2016 initiative, which aims to promote the food sector in NI locally and internationally, something that Minister O’Neill said she was looking forward to.

Reflecting on 2015, the minister touched on work the Department has been involved in. She welcomed the target of paying 95% of eligible applicants to the Basic Payment Scheme and added that, so far, 1,700 inspected cases had been paid.

Prices

Minister O’Neill said: “Our dairy sector was dealt a severe blow by a combination of falling milk prices and high exchange rates.” She said that in the new year she will continue to lobby for a review of milk intervention prices.

Good news for the NI agri-food industry was highlighted, including attaining officially brucellosis-free status, the opening of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme, the introduction of legislation to help eradicate Bovine Viral Diarrhoea and provisional approval for pork exports to China.

“We continue to make progress with international market access negotiations in line with industry priorities and I anticipate a very positive start to 2016 with regard to agri-exports,” the minister said.

On TB eradication, Minister O’Neill mentioned the TB Strategic Partnership Group’s interim report in June and the extension of the target date for finalising the eradication strategy into the new year.

The need for good biosecurity and responsible sourcing of livestock on farms due to the increased threat of several diseases, including avian influenza, bluetongue and African swine fever was also mentioned in today’s statement.