Farming Minister Poots welcomes £25 million boost for beef and dairy.
Farming Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed a £25 million funding boost for the beef and dairy sectors as they grapple with the effects and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On a visit to a Hollowbridge dairy farm run by Stephen Gibson near Hillsborough, the Minister described the additional financial support from the Executive as a lifeline to many businesses.
Minister Poots said: “I have repeatedly and publicly made the case for our beef and dairy sectors, knowing just how challenging this period has been for them.
“This cash injection is the most generous allocation made by any UK or EU administration for the agriculture sector during the Coronavirus emergency and reflects the deep and complex challenges the industry faces.
“We know that with falling demand and prices for beef and dairy products, many farm businesses have been amongst the hardest hit. I have therefore secured the funding which will certainly go some way towards helping the sectors. This will be a lifeline for many businesses and reflects the Executive’s commitment to supporting the sectors.”
The Minister added: “I have vowed to do all I can to support the agriculture industry during these very difficult times. Therefore, I have also asked my officials to identify any further potential additional funding from within my own Department to enhance this current allocation and provide support for these struggling businesses.”
Minister Poots said the pandemic has also caused issues for the horticulture sector here. Commenting the Minister said: “Northern Ireland’s horticulture industry sells more than £25 million of products each year and many growers have had to dispose of unsalable products. The recent re-opening of garden centres has however, given the industry a much needed boost and will go some way towards helping the sector recoup some of its loses.
“I will monitor the impacts of Covid-19 on the horticulture sector over the next few weeks to assess the level of financial support required.”
Work will now begin on how best to allocate funding for the beef and dairy businesses that are most in need.
The Minister also welcomed the £3.8m allocation from the Executive to help cover higher waste collection, treatment and disposal costs in Councils.
This funding will also help support the additional costs of implementing social distancing measures and ensure that staff across councils are able to fulfil these crucial waste management roles in a safe manner.
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