The Future Agricultural Policy framework Portfolio for Northern Ireland was one of the main focal points at a virtual meeting held yesterday. It’s understood that the portfolio maps out a direction of travel to guide funding decisions and priorities over the coming years. The meeting held by Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots hosted Agriculture Ministers and Farming Union presidents from the devolved regions of the UK.
The meeting additionally highlighted the roles of the respective agriculture sectors, while being mindful of environmental and climate concerns.
It’s understood that the framework is set around four key outcomes developed following engagement with stakeholders:
– increased productivity
– environmental sustainability
– improved resilience
– effective functioning supply chain
Despite having differences in approaches to agriculture and environmental policies, Poots says “there appears to be commonality across the three devolved administrations.”
“I believe we can learn a lot from each other and it is vital that we continue to engage to ensure we can all play our part to make the agriculture sector more efficient, productive, profitable and sustainable”, says Poots.
The framework is additionally formulated to ensure a coherent and progressive approach to farm support within that timeframe.
Northern Ireland’s Future Agricultural Policy Proposals are currently out for consultation and will finish on 15 February 2022.
LSL News.