AQW 2256/22-27

Mr Declan McAleer
Sinn Féin
West Tyrone

Tabled Date: 28/06/2022
Answered On Date: 08/07/2022
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) whether he will publish a food strategy to protect domestic food security in the context of the war in Ukraine and the impact of Brexit, including the loss of basic payment scheme, trade deals and labour shortages faced by farmers and farming; and (ii) for his assessment of the impact that the absence of an Executive is having on the draft food strategy.

Answer:

My Officials carried out an eight week public consultation exercise on proposals for a Northern Ireland Food Strategy Framework in autumn 2021. The consultation sought views on the proposed vision, principles and goals of a Northern Ireland Food Strategy Framework. Overall, the responses indicated a strong endorsement for the proposed approach. The summary of responses has been published on the DAERA website, enabling stakeholders to see the overall views that were expressed in the consultation exercise.

As the Northern Ireland Food Strategy Framework cuts across the responsibilities of a number of Northern Ireland Departments, it requires Executive approval before publication. In the interim, my officials will continue to work with officials from other Departments through the recently formed Food Programme Board to develop detailed proposals for an extensive programme of work.

I have written to other Ministerial colleagues to update them on the outcome of the consultation, and to ask if they are content with the proposed final version of the Framework which will be for future Executive sign-off. I have sought their agreement that officials will continue working with DAERA to work up the underlying implementation plans for future consideration. To date, positive responses have been received from departments of Economy, Health, Education, Justice and Infrastructure.

The negotiation of trade deals falls under international relations and therefore is not a devolved matter. The draft Food Strategy Framework will take into account the overall trading environment as it impacts on Northern Ireland.

Although there is no Executive at present, I continue to engage on a very regular basis with the UK Government Ministers. I have met with Secretary of State, Rt. Hon George Eustice MP, recently in person and pressed home repeatedly the need for Government intervention to support farmers and growers right across the UK.

Through the College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise, and the Industry Taskforce, I will continue to ensure that my Department provides timely and sound practical support to our farmers and growers.

The NI Protocol continues to hinder how NI produced foods with additional checks adding costs to business, leading to the withdrawal of goods and some businesses from the NI market. Components for local businesses are harder to get and materials imported to GB distribution hubs are double tariffed to NI consumers and business.