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Northern Ireland
Assembly

Paul Carlisle
Clerk to the Committee for
Agriculture and Rural Development
Parliament Buildings
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3XX

Joe Cassells
Departmental Assembly Liaison Officer
Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development
Room 509
Dundonald House
Belfast
BT4 3SB

15 December 2008

Dear Joe

DECEMBER MONITORING STATEMENT – 15 DECEMBER 2008

I refer to the above.

As you will be aware, the Minister for Finance and Personnel delivered a Statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly on the December Monitoring Round on 15 December 2008. The Department for Agriculture and Rural Development is to receive additional monies in respect of the following matters:

  1. Farm Nutrient Management Scheme;
  2. Agricultural Flooding Hardship; and
  3. Assistance to the Fishing Industry

I would appreciate if the Department could provide details in respect of the above allocations as soon as is possible. In particular, I would be grateful for the following information:

  1. Farm Nutrient Management Scheme

The Department advised the Committee during their presentation on the December Monitoring Round that they had bid for £30 million. This, therefore, represents a substantial under-allocation of £10 million. How is this shortfall to be provided?

  1. Agricultural Flooding Hardship Payments

What precise payments are to be made? Are these being made to potato producers only? Has the Department given any consideration to a scheme to compensate the wider industry as a result of the sustained inclement weather conditions?

  1. Assistance to the Fishing Industry

When will this assistance take effect?

The Minister for Finance and Personnel stated a key issue for local businesses was that of cash flow and announced that the public service would reduce its targets for paying approved invoices from 30 days to 10 days. I would appreciate if the Department would confirm that they will seek to achieve this new target in respect of their payment processes to farm businesses.

I am happy to discuss.

Yours sincerely

Paul Carlisle
Clerk to the Committee for
Agriculture and Rural Development