AQW 37892/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 23/10/2014
Answered On Date: 04/11/2014
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what fiscal support currently exists for farm businesses, specifically in the agri-food sector, which are seeking to expand.

Answer:

There is currently no financial support available to new applicants seeking to expand their businesses.

The final tranches of financial assistance under the EU–funded Rural Development Programme 2007-13 Modernisation of Agricultural Holdings and the Agricultural and Forestry Processing and Marketing Scheme measures, have now closed.

On 14 October 2014 I announced the submission of the draft Rural Development Programme 2014-20 to the European Commission. Subject to EU approval, anticipated by April 2015, the proposed Farm Business Improvement and the Agri-food Processing Investment Schemes will provide extensive support for sustainable growth in the agri-food sector.