AQW 18889/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 14/05/2021
Answered On Date: 25/05/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, pursuant to AQW 18087/17-22 and in relation to the potential centralisation of funding, for his assessment of the deliverability of local priorities in regards to the future of agriculture.

Answer:

I understand that the UK leaving the EU will have created some uncertainty regarding agricultural funding.

UK Government has committed to maintain the funding available to farmers and land managers in every year of this Parliament, supplementing the remaining EU funding that farmers and land managers across the UK will receive for agri-environment and rural development projects.

It is clear that business as usual in relation to agricultural support is not an option. The future is about doing more with the funding at our disposal in a sustainable and smart way. As we redefine our agricultural policies and support schemes outside of the EU, I intend to provide opportunities for all of our farmers. Schemes and support are needed to help farmers develop their businesses, no matter where they farm, to become more efficient and to maximise the sustainable returns they can achieve from the assets at their disposal.