COMMITTEE DELEGATION VISITS ISLE OF MAN

A delegation of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development met today with the Isle of Man Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Hon Philip Gawne MHK.

The delegation, led by the Chairman of the Committee, Dr William McCrea MP MLA, discussed a number of issues, including the current situation of the red meat sector, access to Isle of Man waters for the Northern Ireland fishing fleet and the forthcoming Common Agricultural Policy health check.

Speaking after the meeting, Dr McCrea said:

“This is the first of a series of meetings with our counterparts in a number of jurisdictions and is continuing evidence of the Committees objective of providing a strong voice for our industry throughout Europe.

“The meeting with Minister Gawne allowed us to raise a number of important issues currently facing our industry. Foremost of these was access for the Northern Ireland fleet to waters surrounding the Isle of Man and the plight of the pig and red meat sectors”.

Dr McCrea continued:

“The Committee has taken the highly significant step of organising a seminar on 13 March 2008 on moving the red meat sector forward, and I’m delighted with the response to this seminar, particularly from retailers such as ASDA and Marks and Spencer. We must continue to keep the pressure on throughout the rest of the UK and Europe to make sure that the needs of our great industry are not forgotten”

The Committee plans to meet representatives of the Agricultural Committees in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland in the coming months.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

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

Information about this meeting can be obtained from: -

Kieran Dougan
Information Office, Parliament Buildings
Tel: 028 9052 1137

Mr Paul Carlisle
Clerk to the Committee
Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development,
Room 284,
Parliament Buildings,
Belfast BT4 3XX.
Telephone 028 90521063.
Fax 028 90521679.
E-mail – committee.agriculture@ niassembly.gov.uk