Michelle McIlveen
Strangford · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Public confidence depends not only on effective enforcement but on enforcement being exercised fairly and consistently. <BR /> <BR />There is widespread concern across Northern Ireland about the condition of many of our lakes and rivers, and there are a vast number of factors that contribute to water quality challenges.”
“Although we support the overall direction of travel, I think that is appropriate to reflect on the concerns that have been raised and ensure that the legislation is proportionate, practical and capable of delivering its intended outcomes.”
“If we are therefore serious about improving our aquatic environment, every source of pollution must be addressed. New legislative powers are meaningful only if the Department has the resources, the expertise and the personnel necessary to implement them effectively.”
“There is, however, a need for accompanying clear guidance and support and for regulatory consistency and prompt decision-making. Delays, uncertainty and excessive bureaucracy will undoubtedly discourage investment and undermine confidence in the sector.”
“Subordinate legislation should not become a substitute for proper democratic accountability. Consultation and engagement must be undertaken before regulations are introduced, and I cannot overstate the need for stakeholder engagement. <BR /> <BR />I will now talk about the Bill's proposed enforcement powers.”
“The DUP broadly welcomes the Bill. As has been said, it provides an opportunity to modernise legislation that, in some areas, has remained largely unchanged for decades. The Bill strengthens the protection of our fisheries, improves the regulatory framework for aquaculture and enhances the management of our water environment.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,597 lines we hold for Michelle McIlveen, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 35 of 52.
“I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware that I keep in regular contact with the Minister in the Irish Republic. We speak regularly on a number of issues, be they to do with agriculture or fisheries. The specific piece of work that is being carried out is a scoping exercise that will be looking at trade, fisheries, animal health standards, food standards and plant health standards. All those issues are part of the day-to-day work that officials carry out anyway, but there will be particular scoping done to determine the implications that the referendum result will have.”
“At the moment, it is an issue that is much greater for the Irish Republic than it is for us. Currency movements are 15% less competitive for the Irish Republic, so it is in its best interests to be able to retain what is a particularly lucrative market within the United Kingdom. Therefore, a hard Brexit will be very difficult for the Irish Republic, as it will be for Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Indeed, a hard Brexit and a hard border would not help either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland with trading. The Republic of Ireland exports a considerable amount of goods to Northern Ireland in a year. The figures for 2015 indicate that exports were worth almost £750 million. Likewise, €569 million of goods were exported from Northern Ireland to the Irish Republic. <BR /> <BR />There are issues for both sides. The Member will be aware that 29% of the raw milk produced in Northern Ireland is processed in the Irish Republic; that 39% of live lambs produced in Northern Ireland are exported to the Irish Republic; and that 31% of all pigs that are slaughtered in Northern Ireland come from the Irish Republic.”
“It is something on which I will have to have further discussions with the Finance Minister, but, at this stage, I do not have the money. The Member will also know from discussions in farming circles that farmers have not quite been united on how the money should be disseminated. I plan to let the Member know in the next number of days how I plan to go forward with this.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The aid package translates to just over £4 million for Northern Ireland. It is very welcome, as we lobbied to get a greater proportion of the allocation of moneys from the package. <BR /> <BR />You will be aware from previous comments that I have made that I want to maximise the impact of the money. I want to get it out as quickly as possible to farmers and also get the best value from it, as I want it to make a meaningful difference to the industry. Within the next number of days, I plan to make available the information on the schemes that I am funding. I appreciate that there have been calls for match funding, although not all regions are match-funding it, as the Member will be aware. She will also know that I do not have a surplus in my budget at present to match-fund.”
“It is quite lucrative for our fishermen; not being able to fish in those waters could cost them somewhere in the region of £300,000. It is of concern to me. My understanding is that Minister Creed is currently getting legislation drafted — it needs to be underpinned by legislation in the Oireachtas — and he is hopeful that it will make its way through the various procedures early in the new year. I am keeping in regular contact with him in that regard. Obviously, I hope that that will correct the issue. In addition, I have spoken to George Eustice, the Minister of State in DEFRA, on the further implications that that will have.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I did not quite catch the last part of it, but the Supreme Court ruling in the Republic in the last few weeks that upheld the appeal came as something of a surprise. I have spoken to the Minister responsible — Michael Creed — on a number of occasions in the last two weeks to determine what will be done to correct that. <BR /> <BR />The Member will be aware that it is based on the Voisinage Agreement, which dates back to 1964. That was a written agreement between officials with regards to fishermen from the Irish Republic fishing in Northern Ireland waters and Northern Ireland fishermen being able to fish in waters around the Irish Republic to a six-mile limit. It has been in standing for a long time. Obviously, it is recognised in the European Union as a long-standing agreement.”
“They also noted progress made on the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas funded social farming grant scheme and the Republic of Ireland's new town and village scheme, and they agreed that officials should explore opportunities to share experience gained from initiatives aimed at sustaining rural settlements. <BR /> <BR />The Council agreed to hold the next agriculture meeting in the spring of 2017.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council welcomed the good progress made in both jurisdictions in implementing the LEADER element of the rural development programme. DAERA and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs organised a LEADER cooperation event, held in Newry on 8 and 9 November 2016, to launch cooperation between local action groups from all regions of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Ministers also welcomed the opening of a new social farming capital grant scheme in Northern Ireland to complement the existing support office in Cookstown.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council welcomed the continuing cooperation between both jurisdictions, the ongoing work to improve farm safety and the agreement between the Health and Safety Authority and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland on the joint development of farm-safety e-learning packages. Ministers welcomed the success achieved in raising public awareness of the inherent health-and-safety dangers on farms during the international farm safety week 2016 and the forthcoming tripartite meeting of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority and the Health and Safety Executive of Great Britain to discuss farm safety that will take place on 1 December 2016.”
“The Council noted the progress made with the review of the all-Ireland Chalara control strategy by officials from DAERA and DAFM in response to ongoing scientific and surveillance evidence; the research being undertaken to develop a population of Irish planting stock tolerant to the Chalara — ash dieback — disease; and the ongoing commitment to continue to work towards the shared objective of achieving and maintaining good plant health status on the island. Ministers welcomed the continued cross-border cooperation in dealing with tree and plant health and the shared approach to regulation, as evidenced through a common approach to Epitrix, which is the potato flea beetle, risk management. Ministers welcomed the joint approach to the continued sharing of science and diagnostic capability and the regulation of the use of pesticides.”
“<BR /> <BR />Key points noted included the introduction of a mandatory bovine viral diarrhoea eradication programme by DAERA on 1 March 2016, similar to that introduced by DAFM in 2013; that, on 29 September 2016, the Executive agreed the recommendation for DAERA to submit an application to the World Organisation for Animal Health for BSE negligible risk status for Northern Ireland — the application has been submitted and the decision will be taken in May 2017; that agreement was reached at a meeting of the North/South disease control and trade working group in March 2016 on ways to enhance trade between the two jurisdictions, in particular agreement on how to streamline the health certification processes for deer and pigs being moved to Northern Ireland for slaughter; that a shared contract for the emergency supply of carbon dioxide for whole-house gassing of poultry has been in place since June 2016 and will be valid for three years; and that a memorandum of understanding for sharing livestock culling teams in the event of an exotic disease outbreak in either jurisdiction was signed by Chief Veterinary Officers in June 2016.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council welcomed the continuing work on the delivery of the all-island animal health and welfare strategy action plan since the last North/South Ministerial Council agriculture meeting on 20 January 2016 and, in the context of the recent UK referendum, looked forward to the continuation of practical and effective cooperation on animal health and welfare and disease control in both jurisdictions in order that the health and welfare of livestock is maintained at the highest level.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council noted the current position with regard to the ongoing difficulties being experienced in agricultural markets, the associated measures introduced to address those difficulties and the continuing close contact between officials from DAERA and DAFM on a range of issues, including CAP reform implementation issues and the impact that the UK decision to leave the EU will have on the agri-food and fisheries sectors in both jurisdictions.”
“Ministers noted the progress made in funding projects in both jurisdictions under the DAFM national competitive call and the extension of the United States-Ireland research and development partnership to include agriculture research themes. <BR /> <BR />The Council noted the ongoing progress made by DAERA and DAFM on the implementation of the common agricultural policy (CAP) reforms agreed in 2013 and the up-to-date situation with regard to the implementation of the rural development programmes. Ministers also noted the potential implications for future CAP funding of the result of the UK's decision to leave the EU and the determination of Departments to implement European Commission proposals for CAP simplification and push for further simplification where appropriate.”
“They noted that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) had undertaken an initial scoping exercise to assess the impact of the UK decision. <BR /> <BR />The Council welcomed the ongoing collaboration between DAERA and DAFM aimed at maximising the drawdown of EU funding under Horizon 2020 for the agriculture, forestry, food and marine sectors and the bioeconomy and the €26 million secured in funding to date by successful applications from both jurisdictions.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement in compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 regarding the twenty-sixth North/South Ministerial Council agriculture meeting, which was held in Armagh on Wednesday 26 October 2016. Chris Hazzard MLA, Minister for Infrastructure, and I represented the Northern Ireland Executive at the meeting. The Irish Government were represented by Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Michael Ring TD, Minister of State, Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Minister Creed chaired the meeting. This statement has been agreed with Minister Hazzard, and I make it on behalf of both of us. <BR /> <BR />Ministers discussed the implications of the result of the recent UK referendum on EU membership.”
“The advantage of leaving the EU is that we can design our own policies that give us scope to remove the unnecessary bureaucracy associated with the current arrangements that Members have referred to today. They will then much better suit local needs.”
“Our future agricultural policy framework is a particularly important issue for the Northern Ireland Executive, and I welcome the time that the House has spent discussing it. As John O'Dowd said, there would be uncertainties with remaining in the EU, but we are in uncharted waters that provide significant opportunities for not only us in the House but our farmers. I and the wider Northern Ireland Executive will be a strong voice at the negotiating table. I am committed to engaging with those who are in a position to make decisions that will benefit the sector. I want a mature debate about the future framework, not one dominated by funding without consideration of what that funding might be used for.”
“Our Departments also engage with a wider range of stakeholder organisations at ministerial and official level outside those arrangements as necessary and in line with the normal course of business.”
“That engagement will continue as we formulate our negotiating position for leaving the European Union as a whole United Kingdom, ensuring that we maximise the benefits for Northern Ireland. I have also met virtually every stakeholder from the agri-food, rural development, fisheries and environment sectors. As you are already aware, I have set up the joint Brexit consultative committee with the Economy Minister, Simon Hamilton.”
“I have impressed on them the importance of the agri-food sector to our economy and sought an assurance that we would be kept closely and directly involved in the agricultural, environmental and fisheries policy and trade agendas as they unfold over the coming months and years. <BR /> <BR />I have also met Andrea Leadsom and George Eustice and impressed on them the unique position of our agri-food sector. As I have already indicated, I hosted a visit by George Eustice last month and facilitated his meetings with agri-food, environmental and fisheries stakeholders and departmental officials. My officials continue to engage with officials from Whitehall, the other devolved Administrations and the Republic of Ireland.”
“Significant work has already been initiated in my Department to progress my priorities, which are to ensure that we replace the common agricultural policy and common fisheries policy with appropriate UK frameworks that underpin the sustainable growth and competitiveness of the agri-food and fisheries sectors and safeguard our continued ability to trade effectively and profitably both inwardly and outwardly. <BR /> <BR />As Members will be aware, I have had many meetings and discussions with Ministers to discuss the important issues that need to be resolved in the months ahead. In addition to meetings with my Welsh, Scottish and Irish counterparts, I have met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, and the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis.”
“Therefore, any change in support mechanisms or levels of support would need to involve a period of transition. Significant thought is being given to a UK agricultural policy framework that delivers the market and non-market outcomes that the agricultural industry is uniquely positioned to deliver. Importantly, agricultural support also requires the use of restrictions on imports to protect the sector from lower-cost producers who face different standards and constraints with respect to tax, employment and the environment. We need to be mindful of countries such as Brazil, New Zealand and Australia. <BR /> <BR />As I started by saying, we need to be strategic in our thinking and develop a strategy to provide for and secure the long-term sustainability of the industry.”
“Rather than contemplating the possibility of new barriers to trade and their negative effects, we should strive to retain current access arrangements in the short term and create new export opportunities in the longer term. <BR /> <BR />Export markets have always been important for our industry, but there is a need to tread carefully to ensure that vulnerable agricultural sectors are not sacrificed for gains in other areas. With the decision to leave the EU, in future the UK will be in a stronger position to pursue trade deals that will be in our best interests. I have already been in China speaking to the Government at various levels and picked up no concerns about their willingness to trade with the UK if we are outside the EU. <BR /> <BR />Long-term planning is important in any sector and is no less so in farming.”
“This offers Northern Ireland processors tremendous potential if we do not get a free trade deal with the rest of the EU. <BR /> <BR />David Ford talked about the treatment of a hard border and the impact on the product that trades between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. When having the debate, we need to take a holistic overview and look not just for potential problems but for opportunities. Future trade and support arrangements will be extremely important for the future prospects of the Northern Ireland agri-food industry. I will seek an outcome where future relationships with the EU and the rest of the world are no less restrictive than they currently are with regard to both tariff and non-tariff barriers.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone raised the issue of access to migrant labour. The NIFDA report provides up-to-date information on the migrant labourers employed in the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland and calls for continued access to migrant labour. This is something that I will seek to achieve; indeed, I have raised it at meetings with various Ministers. It has not been forgotten. As my colleague from Lagan Valley Edwin Poots has already outlined, the report clearly demonstrates how the United Kingdom relies on the importation of food. According to the NIFDA report, the UK imports £2 billion of poultry products, £1·4 billion of beef and lamb, £1·2 billion of dairy and £1·1 billion of other products.”
“Around 70% of the output of the Northern Ireland food and drink sector is sold externally, while 29% of raw milk and 39% of lambs produced on Northern Ireland farms are processed in the Republic of Ireland; indeed, there is movement of many agricultural goods and processed foods across the border in both directions every day of the week. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the report published last week by the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA), 'Brexit: Challenges and Opportunities for Northern Ireland Food and Drink'. This highlights the importance of our agri-food sector to the local economy. It is helpful to have a view from the industry. Engagement is key in the process, and I look forward to further discussions on the report. Those discussions and the report will make an important contribution to our thinking as we move forward.”
“<BR /> <BR />Many Members have mentioned the bureaucracy coming from EU regulations. Whilst we will need to ensure that we have equivalent standards to allow for trade to continue to grow when we leave the EU, there will be opportunities to bring in legislation that suits the United Kingdom and not the wider EU. Farming by dates on the calendar is not good for either the farmer or the environment. Policies can be introduced that are based on evidence, and some examples were recently published in the land management strategy. <BR /> <BR />As a region, we will look for some flexibility within the framework offered, because as a region we are unique. The agri-food sector in Northern Ireland is much more important to the local economy than is the case in other parts of the United Kingdom.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Rosemary Barton talked about farmers living in marginal areas. I believe that a new scheme can be introduced that will allow for farmers to be rewarded for managing sensitive landscapes. On funding for the areas of natural constraint scheme, the Member will be aware that I did not support a transfer of funds from pillar 1 to pillar 2. I am still considering other options, but, given the pressures on budgets, providing additional support will be challenging. I welcome Mr Eustice's vision for a future agricultural policy but will press to ensure that it caters for the needs of agriculture in Northern Ireland. We do not have to look to what we had before; there is the opportunity for something different. We can develop something bespoke for the United Kingdom.”
“Various models are being studied, and on his recent visit to Northern Ireland George Eustice, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, shared some of his early thinking on future UK agricultural policy, including a move away from subsidies towards insurance-based income support payments. He mentioned the Canadian, Australian and other models that could be considered. He is looking for fresh ideas and is not closing the door on anyone with ideas on what that might look like. <BR /> <BR />I want to clarify a point made by Mr McGlone. George Eustice did not state that he would scrap all subsidies; he said that he wanted to remove the current broken system and replace it with one that supports productive agriculture, helps manage risk and rewards farmers for sustaining the environment.”
“That gives us time to develop a new UK agricultural policy framework. My long-term aim for the industry is to promote a sustainable, competitive, high-performing, knowledge-based agri-food sector that is prosperous and compliant. That means that the sector will be more resilient to shocks and challenges, have high standards of animal health and welfare, deliver for the environment and have increased market access for agri-food products. <BR /> <BR />It is clear that we are not going to have a system like the one we have currently. Why would we copy a system that is broken and is not working for many of our farmers? This creates the opportunity for us to look at a different type of agricultural policy for the UK that will provide the necessary incentives for our farmers moving forward.”
“<BR /> <BR />My colleague William Irwin noted Commissioner Hogan's recent remarks on a potential €3 billion deficit in the CAP budget once the UK leaves the EU. The advantage for us of leaving the EU is that we can design our own policy that gives us the scope to remove the unnecessary bureaucracy that is associated with the current arrangements and make it better suit our local needs. <BR /> <BR />We know that CAP support payments will no longer apply when we leave the EU. The Treasury has made a commitment to maintain current levels of CAP support to farmers to 2020 for pillar 1 funds, rural development, including environmental programmes, and for R&D projects signed up to before we leave the EU. Mr McGlone was incorrect to state that there is no commitment in place for pillar 2 funds post-2019.”
“After that, there is no certainty as to the type of agricultural support measures that will be adopted by the EU or the budget that will be devoted to them. Let me be clear: even if the UK had voted to remain within the EU, we would give no assurances to farmers on what support they would receive. Added to the fact there are no assurances on the finance within the EU, I believe that the way the scheme was delivered has lost the confidence of our farmers. It is interesting to note that there has been some recent questioning of the effectiveness of area payments, given that they are untargeted, and calls to consider whether more can be done to assist farmers to cope with market volatility. The EU debate on CAP post-2020 is clearly in its early stages, and it remains to be seen what ideas will be taken on board by the EU Commission.”
“That is why I have ensured that more than 90% of our farmers have received an advance to their 2016 basic payments; that is why I have opened up the first phase of the farm business improvement scheme capital element, which will allow our farmers to make long-term strategic decisions; and that is also why I have led trade missions on behalf of the industry to SIAL and China to look at opening new high-value markets for our produce. Harold McKee pointed that out in his contribution and said that he is keen to see that happening. I am actively pursuing that. <BR /> <BR />Let me provide some context around this issue. A number of Members have referred to this. Current CAP payments are guaranteed up to and including the 2019 scheme year, which is the 2020 EU budget year.”
“I note the motion and thank the Members for providing the opportunity to discuss this. Mr McGlone is not alone in representing a rural constituency. I, too, represent a largely rural area and one that has a dependency on the fishing industry. I am very mindful of the issues that affect that industry also. <BR /> <BR />I agree with Members that we need to be strategic in our thinking and develop a strategy to provide for and to secure the long-term sustainability of the agricultural and agri-food sectors in Northern Ireland. Since coming into office, I have taken that very approach. I am very aware of the failings of the current CAP policy but have used whatever powers I have to make decisions that protect the long-term sustainability of our agriculture and food processing sector.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I do not have that information to hand, but I am happy to get it to the Member.”
“I am very much aware of Mr O'Neill's comment about the number of farmers as well. Mr O'Neill has been challenged on that by the Ulster Farmers' Union. I have also been in his presence since he made those comments and have spoken to him about them. <BR /> <BR />I am very much focused on championing the position of all farmers in Northern Ireland and not being selective as to whom I support. I want to see the sector grow, be productive and be sustainable. As to whether I have confidence in Mr O'Neill, that is a very loaded question, but the Member will be aware that the tenure of the Agri-Food Strategy Board as a group will come to an end in February next year.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am very much aware of the comments that Mr O'Neill made to the Committee. Regarding the PAC, the Member will be aware that we all work within a framework of good governance and financial accountability for public money. Rules are in place, and we need to abide by those. Regardless of the rules, I suppose that we will be critical of officials and say they are risk-averse, but whether that is a fair criticism is debatable. I do not agree with the comments that he made.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Northern Ireland is, as I said, the first region of the United Kingdom to issue advance CAP payments. This is a significant achievement, and one that the industry has been asking for. In Scotland, for example, payments for 2015 are still being made. Furthermore, the Scottish Government do not appear to be in a position to make any payments in 2016 and have had to introduce a nationally funded loan scheme, to which farmers can apply to receive a loan of 80% of their CAP payment. <BR /> <BR />This is an important move for my Department, and I am absolutely delighted with the results this year.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I am pleased to be able to confirm that 90·72% of eligible farmers have received an advance payment, resulting in £158,474,453 reaching 21,111 farmers much earlier this year than it would have otherwise. I am delighted with that outcome, which exceeds the challenging target of 80% that I had set my officials. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to the staff in Orchard House, who have worked extremely hard to achieve this. We are the first region in the United Kingdom to make advance payments, and I am delighted that we have surpassed our target.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I will give that commitment, and I have sought a meeting with the chief executive of Northern Ireland Water in order to discuss not only the Annsborough incident but others. As I said, I take this very seriously, and I will continue to have dialogue with anyone who I feel could benefit from a discussion with me or the Department.”
“I thank the Member for her question. She will be aware from my previous responses to such questions that it is not my intention to bring forward an independent environment agency. However, I want to see the appointment — or the reappointment, now — of independent members to the NIEA board. They were previously taken off that board by a former Environment Minister, and I want to see that decision reversed, because I value the expertise and insight that independent external panel members would bring to the board. I am responsible for protecting our environment, and I take that responsibility very seriously. It is part of my remit, and I have no intention of abdicating that responsibility.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware that Rural Support receives funding from a number of different agencies. My Department supports it with around £91,000 annually through our tackling rural poverty and social isolation (TRPSI) programme. I know that my officials have ongoing conversations with Rural Support about its funding. As I said, we are supportive of the work that it does, particularly with farming families and rural families, and we have been encouraging it to continue with that work. We will be working alongside Rural Support in order to ensure the delivery of that work.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It is probably not unconnected to the question that his party colleague asked previously. I am very aware of the value that Rural Support gives to rural communities. It is a listening and signposting service for farmers and rural families, and the mentoring programme, which is an on-farm mentoring programme, has been very successful, particularly when financial problems occur. It is important to encourage people to use that service. I am very supportive of the work that it is doing.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As he will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the Rural Needs Act, and it falls to me to be the voice of rural needs around the Executive table. I will be a constant reminder to my colleagues, although I would like to think that they will be cognisant of rural needs and that that will come naturally to them as time goes on. Most of us in the Chamber represent rural constituencies, so it is incumbent on us all to be cognisant of that. I am very much aware of social isolation, particularly in relation to access to the health service. In my previous role, I was very supportive of community transport providers and the work that they do, and particularly the volunteers who help people in isolated situations to access hospital appointments and doctors' appointments.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It was a fundamental piece of work that was announced today, and I will, of course, work alongside all my Executive colleagues on its implementation.”
“The project, which works alongside the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and special schools, aims to encourage young people, over the next five years, to become involved in the environment and look out for our endangered species in particular. There is good work going on in those organisations, and it is important that my Department works alongside them in order to support them where it can.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am, of course, very conscious of the 'State of Nature' report that was published very recently and the number of species around Northern Ireland that are under threat, particularly the red squirrel and the hedgehog. Groups such as the Ulster Wildlife Trust work very closely on these matters and are leading the red squirrel campaign. The trust receives funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and has a four-year programme for that project, which is about monitoring and surveying the red squirrel. The Member will also be aware that the Grassroots Challenge project was launched just a couple of weeks ago in the Long Gallery, and I was privileged to be at that.”
“I pay tribute to the volunteers who work very hard to monitor and try to retain the population in Northern Ireland. Anyone who follows, as I do, the Twitter feed of the Red Squirrels United in Northern Ireland will be aware that the squirrel pox virus, which comes from the grey squirrel, is an issue in the Mournes area.”