Ministers Balmoral Speech 17th May 2007

Dia daoibh a chairde

Good morning, everybody. It is an absolute pleasure to be here. Before the election, when I was on the hustings with the Ulster Farmer’s Union, I indicated that we did not want Agriculture to be the last pick for ministerial office this time round, and that if it was left to Sinn Fein it would not be. We have redeemed that promise, and so it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all as Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development.

This is a job both Sinn Fein and I wanted. I wouldn’t have taken it unless I believed I could make a difference. So I stand before you as a farmer’s daughter, and someone with their roots and their life in a rural community. For better or worse, you have a home bred replacement in the job.

A number of you will have heard me outline my key priorities:

I’d like to say briefly what I am doing about these priorities. My priorities came from my experience as an agriculture and rural spokesperson and the meetings I held over the last month to gather views from stakeholders. I’m going to keep on gathering views, but importantly I’m now setting in place new meetings with a purpose, and that purpose is action on the issues that matter.

I am setting up a meeting with Arlene Foster as Minister for the Department of the Environment. At that meeting, I will be seeking her agreement to proceed with an independent review of the regulations and bureaucracy which both our Departments apply to the farming industry. I will be proposing that we make a joint commitment that the level of regulation and bureaucracy is no more than is absolutely necessary, and that all regulation is fit for purpose, proportionate and delivered appropriately. I hope to announce shortly who will lead the review, and I will want to see, by around the end of this year a clear plan to reduce and simplify regulation.

Then, as soon as the election in the south is concluded, I will want to meet the new Minister for Agriculture to discuss how we can develop an all island animal health and welfare strategy and move towards the freer movement of animals within the island of Ireland, which should be a key aim of the strategy. I have already met the IFA, and I think they’d agree. Ireland is a single entity when it comes to animal disease such as TB and Brucellosis, so it makes a lot of sense to have a single strategic approach to animal disease control across the island.

And we need to work together to find solutions whereby we can achieve the freer movement of livestock throughout Ireland without jeopardising our collective animal health status. On animal movements, one of the first issues I want to address is the difference north and south in our application of EU rules on trade in cattle, particularly the differing residency requirements. I have already been briefed in detail by my officials and would like to set up a meeting as soon as possible with industry stakeholders, to take your views before I talk to my southern counterpart. I will meet the new Minister, on this and other issues, at a North South Ministerial Council, if not before. I will be aiming to build a constructive relationship and to achieve practical outcomes for the farming industry in the North.

The Nitrates Directive is one of the key issues impacting across the whole industry. It will mean for most finding additional monies within a very difficult economic environment. Therefore I intend to seek support from my colleagues on the Executive at the earliest opportunity to find a solution to the shortfall in funding. I am pleased to hear that already the Agriculture Committee, whom I hope to work very closely with, has lent its support to my view that we need to fund all Farm Nutrient Management Scheme applications. To assist with that I have asked my staff to bring forward options to speed up inspections by supplementing our inspection team. I know that a number of the Committee have taken up the invitation to be here this morning and I am delighted to see you all.

As I have stated on other occasions, I intend to see that only the minimum number of inspections are done and the Single Farm Payment is paid as quickly as possible. But I would appeal to farmers – please help us to help you.

The Single Farm Payment is European money paid out under European rules and subject to European audit. I’ve carefully considered ideas put to me, but unfortunately we have to be realistic and we have very limited room for discretion or flexibility.

A query on a claim delays payment at best, and at worst leads to a reduction in payment. Most businesses simply cannot afford that to happen – we all recognise that and we all want to avoid that happening.

Therefore, I would ask farmers to do all that they can to minimise any risk to their payment. Seek help and advice if needed. And if we do raise a query, please respond promptly so that we can clear it up as quickly as possible.

As I said, we need you to help us to help you.

We are now coming to the end of the 2006 payment and it has become apparent that a large number of inspections found field variances due to scrub, boundary changes, house sites, extension to yards, permanent laneways etc. This slowed down processing of claims. More importantly, as a result of these discrepancies, the European rules require the number of inspections to increase this year. However, I have taken remedial steps to help reduce such queries by asking my staff to send a letter out to 20,000 farmers we think are at risk, asking them to alert us of any field changes such as new dwelling sites, before the 2007 inspections occur. I am seeking everyone’s help to check their farm maps, so that we can get on top of this problem and achieve what both you and I want, which is a quick payment schedule for the SFP and the minimum number of inspections.

There are other pressing issues which need to be addressed. For example, within the next couple of months, I hope to announce the Commission’s approval of our new Rural Development Programme. Many of you have expressed concern to me about the funding of that programme and in particular the use of Voluntary Modulation. I will have to take a decision on the way forward before 12 June, so we can communicate this to the European Commission. I intend to convene a meeting of representatives of agri-food, environment and rural development sectors, so that I hear the views on all sides personally and in the round before I arrive at a final decision.

Another issue on which I’ve had representations is the presence of Alpha Nortestosterone in male cattle. I have asked for a comprehensive report by officials and I will consider the way forward and meet with those most affected shortly after my return from America.

I have already attended my first meeting of the Executive. There are a lot of opportunities for joined up Government, to set rural issues in a wider context, and bring a vital rural perspective to new policies. I’ve already had issues such as affordable housing, welfare reform, and the future of libraries across my desk, and I am commenting and influencing on the basis of the needs of rural communities. Separately, I’ll be meeting Conor Murphy and Arlene Foster to put forward the views of rural dwellers about PPS14 and planning.

This is an exciting time, and I am delighted that the politicians including myself are taking up our responsibilities. It is a time of optimism and challenge. But we should not lose sight of the fact that the contribution of politicians is limited. It will be chiefly the contribution of people in this room and others like you that will make the future brighter for farming. A key aspect is that all parts of the supply chain must play fair and profits must be shared along the chain. I think we should focus for a couple of minutes on the things that are going well and that promise well.

First of all, we are strong in our traditional products and markets. We produce the finest food, that doesn’t have to travel thousands of miles by air to be enjoyed here.

I welcome the work undertaken by the Food Strategy Implementation Partnership over the past 2 years to develop the potential of the food processing sector. This has led to closer working between DARD and Invest NI and has produced worthwhile progress on a number of fronts. That momentum needs to be maintained and built upon. The Partnership is now due to stand down at the end of June and I will want to discuss the next steps with it and with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Nigel Dodds.

I want to pay tribute to the generations of farmers for the way they have looked after the countryside and continue to do so. Over the past 10 years there has been a revolution in farming, and we have seen the rise of agri-environment schemes to reward farmers for the care that they take to manage the landscape and the environment. That has involved far sighted policy development by the Department, robust scientific research and monitoring by AFBI, and a continuing investment of public money. I would take this opportunity to congratulate the thirteen thousand farmers who are participating in agri-environment schemes – for their commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the rural environment. It’s good for farm incomes, good for the countryside and good for tourism.

Thirdly, I know that farmers are adjusting quickly to new opportunities. I have had the opportunity to visit the farm of John and Billy Martin, and it was great to see the way they are seeking to exploit the opportunities presented by growing willows. One thing apparent to me was the time lag between planting and income – short rotation coppice has a turnaround time of 4 years, so we do need to ensure that there is a soundly based market for this crop, and I hope the public sector will take a lead on this.

Fourthly, I think farmers and the food processing industry at the moment have real leadership talent. I spent the last month meeting most of the representatives groups involved with our industries. I have been impressed with the approach that they have taken, the ideas they have brought forward, and the willingness they have to work with us. I don’t want to single out any group, but I have to say that it was a master stroke on the part of the Ulster Farmer’s Union to invite Marianne Fischer Boel here. I hope to renew my acquaintance with Marianne Fischer Boel at an early Agriculture Council and to take the opportunity to form alliances that will help the local industry. I’ll also be going to Washington next week to support and promote our local food interest with influential food and travel interests as well as American political representatives.

Fifthly, we should take heart from the good prospects for rural communities in general under a local assembly. It’s no secret that rural communities get more attention under a devolved approach than under direct rule. I look forward to building on the investment in rural development over the last 5 years. Almost £90m has been invested in the rural community across Building Sustainable Prosperity, Leader, Peace, and Interreg, mainly in small amounts, making big differences. I’ve seen a number of successful firms at this show, set up with very modest resources. In the new programme, provision has been made for about £120m across Axis 1 and Axis 3, and we look forward to the new Leader approach which will allow those at the heart of the rural community to directly influence where the emphasis should be directed. But rural development is not just about money. I have been emphasising that the challenge for everyone making policy and taking decisions that will affect the future of our rural communities is to go out and listen to, and engage with, the people who live and work in those communities.

Finally, I’d like to revert to the contribution of government. I have stated my objectives – addressing the broader needs of rural communities, and restoring confidence in farming. The Department does have a role in all this. In my constituency, I have been really impressed by the staff in DARD Direct at Inishkeen House. They have changed their processes, they have changed their technology, and they have even changed the building itself to make it more welcoming and more professional. They have done a great job, and I know that farmers appreciate it. I want to see that approach developed across the North. That includes the level of customer service and the desire to work with farmers rolled out. So I was pleased that our offices stayed open till 10 o’clock earlier this week to ensure that people had the maximum opportunity to get in their IACS forms. I am pleased to announce that one of the ways we are speeding up Single Farm Payments is that we will not be pursuing very small debts. In the past we pursued anything over £10, now we won’t pursue anything under £65 in respect of 2005 onwards. The point is that there will be fewer debts holding up full payment. I appreciate that the big problem for all of us has been getting inspections done and claims paid, and I am pressing within the Department that we will speed up inspection, begin the inspection cycle earlier, and find innovative ways to deliver.

So I hope that a sixth reason for confidence in our industry is that there will be a real willingness from the Department to adopt new technology, new approaches, and work in partnership with farmers and the representative bodies.

I hope that all of you have enjoyed your breakfast here this morning and this year we are giving guests the opportunity to make a voluntary contribution to Marie Curie Cancer Care as you leave the room this morning. You will be aware that Marie Curie provides high quality nursing, totally free, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families. Also, in its hospice here in Belfast, Marie Curie provides a much needed and much appreciated service for all sections of the local community. The link to Marie Curie was suggested by Barry Niblock, one of our staff, who has played a major role in the DARD Breakfast since its inception. Barry retires later this year.

It has been a real pleasure to speak to you from this side of the podium today. Most of my recent predecessors seem to have managed to speak at only one Balmoral breakfast. I hope I’m here for the long haul. We have a lot of serious challenges, and we have a much better chance of succeeding if we face them together. Thank you very much. Go raibh maith agaibh.