Byrne: Farming must not suffer in latest stage of Rural Development Programme

SDLP MLA for West Tyrone and Vice-Chair of the Agricultural and Rural Development Committee, Joe Byrne, has said that the Rural Development Programme must be tailored to the needs of the farming community rather than directed into other community projects which other government Departments should be financing.

 The West Tyrone MLA said:

 “The current discussions regarding the CAP money’s from Northern Ireland, and in particular the rural development monies must ensure the sustained development of farming and farm related enterprise in the rural parts of Northern Ireland.

 “The rural development programme must be tailored this time to support rural business development.  Sustaining rural communities must be the priority.

 “It is therefore crucial that any transfer of Pillar 1 moneys to Pillar 2 must be minimised unless DARD can secure co-funding from the Executive for any Rural Development Programme initiatives beyond agri-related activities.

 “In the past Rural Development Programme monies have been used to fund many rural community development projects, including in the social, sporting and cultural sphere.

 “This has caused anxiety within the farming community who have felt that farming CAP moneys have been taken from the farming sector to fund other projects which should be funded not from DARD but DCAL or DSD.”