CAFRE advisory services questioned

The lack of an advisory service for farmers that have chosen not to join Business Development Groups (BDG) has been questioned by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) during a meeting with DARD officials.

Under the BDG, 3,225 eligible applicants are set to join discussion groups of 15 to 20 farmers with the group facilitated by a CAFRE adviser. Extra advisers are also to be brought in to facilitate some of the groups, given the large number of farmers involved.

“CAFRE/DARD officials have however indicated that because of resource constraints one-to-one advice at the kitchen table for farmers outside of BDG is less likely,” acknowledged UFU deputy president Barclay Bell.