AQW 44498/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 14/04/2015
Answered On Date: 27/04/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for an update on rural development funding for 2015/2016.

Answer:

The draft NI Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020 was formally submitted to the European Commission on 14th October 2014. The European Commission observation letter on the draft programme was received on 31 March 2015.

My Department has started the formal adoption process with the aim of having our programme approved as soon as possible, ideally before the summer. I raised the issue recently directly with Commissioner Hogan, asking him to also use his influence to secure swift approval of the new programme.