COMMITTEE LISTENS TO FARMERS AND FISHERMEN

The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development met today in Parliament Buildings.

The Committee has invited the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development. Michelle Gildernew MP, to attend next week’s meeting to discuss a wide range of issues and spent today listening to the views of representatives from the farming and fisheries industries. The Committee also heard from senior officials of the Department who provided a briefing on voluntary modulation. Questioning of officials by Committee Members followed the briefing.

Dr William McCrea MP, Committee Chairperson said:

“Today was a visible demonstration by the Committee of our commitment to listen to those who have seen a serious loss of income over the past years and yet, seem powerless to do anything about it. This Committee will be a voice for those people and we look forward to putting their fears and concerns to the Minister.”

The Committee will next meet on Tuesday 5 June 2007 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

Committee Membership:
Dr William McCrea MP, Chairperson
Tom Elliott, Deputy Chairperson
P.J. Bradley Allan Bresland
Thomas Burns Trevor Clarke
Willie Clarke William Irwin
Gerry McHugh Francie Molloy
George Savage

Information about today’s meeting can be obtained from: -

Paddy Price
Information Office, Parliament Buildings
Tel: 028 9052 1137

Mr Paul Carlisle
Clerk to the Committee
Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development,
Room 410,
Parliament Buildings,
Belfast BT4 3XX.

Telephone 028 90521063
Fax 028 90521939
E-mail – committee.agriculture@niassembly.gov.uk