Importance
of TSN underlined
From NEWS LETTER September 9th, 2000
THE importance of the new Targeting Social Need principles enshrined in
her Department's future socio-economic decision-making has been stressed
by Brid Rodgers, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development. During
a meeting with a delegation from the Ulster Farmers' Union, headed by president,
Douglas Rowe, Mrs Rodgers outlined the new TSN elements of the DARD Action
Plan which will be published shortly.
Confirmation that all Government Departments' Action Plans would contain
the element of adherence to TSN principles following a recent decision endorsed
by the Executive Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Brid Rodgers
said: "Targeting Social Need is not a new issue, having been launched in 1991 and endorsed as a fundamental part of the Good Friday Agreement." "The DARD Action Plan contains my personal endorsement that new TSN will be applied fairly and equitably in all Departmental action and activities.
"With the key objective of tackling social need and social exclusion by targeting efforts and available resources on people, groups and areas objectively shown to be in the greatest need, I believe the measures will have a significant impact where it matters."
"To ensure that we achieve the best possible results from assistance and resources provided, the Department is currently working on socio-economic survey of between 3,000 and 4,000 farmers. In addition to monitoring the impact of DARD's programmes, the survey will cover other areas including the dependence on agriculture for household income, the education levels and training needs of farmers and their families and the incidence of industrial accidents on farms."
The Minister also said that the meeting with the UFU had been constructive
and had included an update on current progress on Northern Ireland's case
for the relaxation of the beef export ban, arable aid, Less Favoured Area
subsidies, current problems in the pig sector and DARD's input to the Executive's
'Programme for Government.' UFU president, Douglas Rowe, said that the Northern
Ireland Executive had a crucial role to play in securing the future of the
Province's farming industry.
His comments were made following a meeting with Agriculture Minister Brid
Rodgers and senior officials from the Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development. Mr Rowe said: "We have covered a wide range of issues affecting local farmers and we have brought our concerns to the Minister's attention. A proper place for agriculture in the new Programme for Government is a top priority for us and we feel the Minister is committed to this."
However, the UFU expressed concern on a number of specific policy issues.
Mr Rowe said: "Farmers remain concerned at the future implications of Targeting Social Need in agriculture. We believe there is a social need on all farms in the Province and we have asked the Minister to be conscious of this in her decision making."
"We also believe social need should be targeted from a separate budget, not
the core agriculture budget." "Pig farmers are also very concerned at further delays in delivering the pig industry restructuring scheme announced in March at the Downing Street Summit. Ongoing problems with the EU Commission will heighten their frustration in what has become an unacceptable situation."
Other issues covered in the meeting included Northern Ireland's case for
BSE low incidence, LFA payments and the future of Arable Aid payments. |
