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The implications of Brexit and a shared approach to COVID-19 recovery topped the agenda at Wednesday’s Agriculture Sectoral meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).
In attendance was Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, accompanied by Minister for Community and Rural Development Heather Humphreys.
The meeting was chaired by Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture Edwin Poots, accompanied by Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure Nicola Mallon.
Minister McConalogue said: “We welcome the return of the NSMC meetings, which are a valuable opportunity to note the ongoing co-operation and collaboration on the many important issues that affect our agri food sectors.
“The forum is particularly important in the context of the UK withdrawal from the EU and the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which present immediate challenges for us all.”
Continued co-operation
Other topics on the agenda included developments and collaboration under the agreed areas of co-operation; animal and plant health, EU funding, CAP issues and rural development.
The NSMC was established under the Good Friday Agreement to develop consultation, co-operation and action within the island of Ireland.
The meeting was held via video conference and was the first agriculture sectoral forum since 2016.
Minister Humphreys said: “Both our governments are fully committed to improving the lives of people living and working in rural areas, particularly in border regions.
"I look forward to further co-operation with Minister Poots and between our departments on our many areas of common interest, including on programmes such as LEADER and PEACE PLUS.”
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