UFU President John McLenaghan has congratulated Diana Armstrong MLA on being confirmed as the new chair of Stormont’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has congratulated Diana Armstrong MLA on her appointment as Chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee, following a meeting in which the UFU underlined the need for robust scrutiny of DAERA.
Representing the rural constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Ms Armstrong has previously engaged with the UFU on a range of agricultural and rural issues. The UFU looks forward to continuing that constructive relationship as she takes up the role of Chair.
UFU president John McLenaghan said, “We congratulate Diana on her appointment and wish her well in the role. The AERA Committee has always been an important mechanism for scrutinising DAERA, but given the strength of feeling among farming families following recent departmental actions and the events of recent weeks, that role is particularly important now.
“Farmers need to have confidence that decisions which affect their businesses, livelihoods and families are being properly scrutinised. We need effective accountability, evidence-based decision-making and meaningful engagement with the agricultural industry.
“There is growing frustration within farming that DAERA has become increasingly out of touch with the realities facing farming families and what it means to be a farmer in Northern Ireland today. The Committee has an important role in challenging that disconnect, asking difficult questions when necessary and ensuring the Department is held to the same high standards it expects of farmers.
“The UFU will work constructively with Diana, Vice Chair Declan McAleer MLA and all members of the AERA Committee and we are there as a lobbying organisation to assist with providing evidence, briefings and the experience of our members to support effective analysis and help ensure agricultural policy reflects the realities on the ground.”
Mr McLenaghan thanked outgoing AERA Committee Chair Robbie Butler MLA following his appointment as Health Minister, “Robbie has provided strong leadership as Chair over the past two years and has demonstrated a willingness to challenge DAERA and ensure farming concerns were given proper consideration. We thank him for his work and wish him every success as Health Minister. We look forward to continuing to engage with him in his new role.
“Farming families need a strong voice at Stormont, and the UFU will continue to make sure their concerns are heard, their evidence is taken seriously and those making decisions that affect their livelihoods are held to account.”
