Andrew Muir
North Down · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. As Minister, I am grateful to the Chair of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee and to Members from all sides of the Chamber for their consideration of the Bill and their contributions to the debate, which have been valuable and useful.”
“I will write to you with regard to your query. <BR /> <BR />The other issue, as I said, is reporting pollution incidents so that they can be effectively investigated. There is a duty on everyone to do that promptly.”
“Aquaculture provides real economic opportunities, and the Bill will help ensure that those opportunities are realised responsibly without compromising the environment. Importantly, the Bill includes transitional provisions so that existing licences can continue seamlessly as aquaculture licences, with their conditions unchanged.”
“That is not about being punitive for its own sake; it is about ensuring that the legal framework reflects the true value of our natural resources and the importance of protecting them for future generations.”
“<BR /> <BR />On strengthening the regulation of inland waters, the Bill modernises long-standing powers under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966, ensuring that they are fit for today's environmental and industry challenges. That matters because fisheries management today goes far beyond simply catching fish.”
“<BR /> <BR />A full regulatory impact assessment of the financial impact has been completed. It concluded that the Bill does not introduce significant new financial burdens and that any costs are outweighed by the long-term benefits.”
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“One of the perceived benefits of Brexit has been trade deals that the UK has done with other parts of the world, but they are not to the benefit of Northern Ireland, as far as I am concerned, and particularly not to the benefit of farmers. It was bizarre to see the UK Government announce some of their trade deals during this year's Balmoral show. <BR /> <BR />Matthew echoed my concerns about stop-go government and the impact that it has on so many aspects, including on what we are doing here setting the carbon budgets. He mentioned the climate commissioner. The Executive Office is progressing the establishment of that office. <BR /> <BR />Tom Buchanan raised a number of issues. I will not engage in the climate change denial that he did. Climate change is a reality. We see it, and we would do well to follow the science and evidence.”
“As Minister, I am very keen to work with my Executive colleagues to continue on the trajectory towards green growth and towards delivering those good green jobs. A lot of good work is therefore under way. I am making the pitch for Northern Ireland, and I will continue to do so. <BR /> <BR />Achieving a just transition is absolutely key, and, when it is established, the just transition commission will be fundamental through its being able to give guidance and provide a scrutiny role. Its establishment is something else on which we have fallen behind. We were unable to progress the commission because of the lack of an Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Some of the other contributions from Members referenced the impact of trade deals. The next debate, on the democratic consent motion, will perhaps elucidate that.”
“The Member is moving ahead of himself. We will hopefully get the carbon budgets agreed today, but one of the next steps is to bring forward the climate action plan, get Executive agreement and then announce the green growth strategy. It is a cross-Executive strategy and is about securing good green jobs. I will be able to provide a bit more detail about that in the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />I was at the British-Irish Council meeting last Friday, at which I updated the UK Prime Minister, the Taoiseach and the leaders of the devolved Administrations that are part of the British Isles on our plan for the green growth strategy. I made a very strong case that, once we get the strategy agreed, we should be looking towards having a green new deal.”
“For the sake of the future of people here, we owe it to all our young people to step up, play our part and start delivering for Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I hope that I have addressed your points. I have addressed the issues that you raised about the climate action plan, and we will bring forward that plan once we set the budgets. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) recently released some research on green jobs, which I will send to you. That research gives us an understanding of from where growth is coming and the sectors involved.”
“The matter was brought to the Executive, and it received the Executive's approval. The Member will be aware that Executive business is confidential, and I hope that Members will be able to support the SRs in front of us today. <BR /> <BR />Every day, I meet business people, people from rural communities, those in the energy sector and farming, and those who work in food production, transport and recycling. Many of those people are leading the way. They are already taking action, empowering and educating their communities. They look at our changing world, and they want to play their part. Many of them have committed and are already taking part in the journey towards net zero, but they are looking for clarity. They are looking to the Assembly to set the ambition and for the framework to deliver on climate and environmental action.”
“No problem, Robbie. I am happy to have had your intervention, and I will address your points. The key fundamental is the judicial review against my Department for not setting the carbon budgets, and that weighs on me. That is why it is important to do this, and I am grateful to the Business Committee for tabling the motions today for debate. Going forward, hopefully, we will not be subject to those judicial reviews as a result of our statutory obligations, and we will have that time for engagement.”
“In my Department, there is globally cutting-edge work on decarbonisation in the agriculture sector. Give farmers credit for the work that is being done: that sector is leading by example, and I am very proud of it. <BR /> <BR />My Executive colleagues, across lead-sector Departments, have policies and programmes in place that work, and they are also working to develop future policies. The policies will not only reduce carbon but insulate homes, bring down people's bills, give us greater energy security and, with EVs, reduce air pollution. We have globally leading science and technology, and we have the chance to embrace future industries that will attract green investment and have real economic benefits.”
“I am convinced by the swaths of science, evidence and case studies that show the benefits and opportunities that will be created as we reduce our emissions and achieve net zero, and I do not want Northern Ireland to miss out. The impacts of climate change are clearly no longer confined to academic reports and research papers. As Members have said, we can see its impacts, the instability that it causes and the huge financial and economic pressures that it brings. <BR /> <BR />I am not saying that it will be easy — I know that a marathon is hard: I have done 11 of them — but it is far from impossible. I have faith in this place; I have faith in the people of Northern Ireland; and I believe that we can do this. We have a strong history of innovation and problem-solving.”
“That is why we will bring through the climate action plans. <BR /> <BR />Some Members have told me, in my role as Minister, that the legislation is flawed and that the targets in the Act are too hard. Yet when I attended New York's Climate Week, our legislation was the envy of others. The strength of social justice runs right through it: there is a safety net provided by the required impact assessments, a focus on just transition, and a systems approach of focusing on nature-based solutions, embedding biodiversity and soil and air-quality targets alongside climate action. Let me be clear: I will not change the Act to remove our net zero target.”
“We are at the start line, and some people are saying that they want to go back to the hotel. We need to get on the road. We need to be able to do it, and we need to give people in Northern Ireland hope that we are confident about our future. <BR /> <BR />I have also heard concerns about the level of our targets. I remind Members that the figures for carbon budgets that I have brought before the Assembly are reflective of the advice received from the CCC. Some Members have raised concerns about the net zero trajectory that we are on. The target was set over two years ago by the Assembly, but I remind Members that the CCC's advice has never said that Northern Ireland could not meet net zero. Indeed, its most recent, updated advice from 2023 confirms that we can meet our targets and provided us with a range of pathways to do so.”
“They mitigate the risk of having to take more radical action over shorter periods, which would result in significantly higher costs of mitigation and adaption measures and risk us losing out on economic and employment opportunities. <BR /> <BR />In the absence of carbon budgets, all Departments will still have to meet the targets in the Act. We are also bound by the requirements of the UK's 2008 Act. The two SRs that I ask you to affirm are to give us the pathway. It is not about pressing pause. It is about moving towards the pathway and allowing us to start the journey so that we can do it gradually and bring people, communities and sectors with us in a fair and just manner. Now is not the time to reduce the pace. Folks, we have not even started the marathon yet.”
“Setting the carbon budgets for the 2040 target is about investing in our economic future and sending the message to local and international businesses and investors that we have a stable and long-term commitment to decarbonisation and that we are forward-facing and ready to embrace new technologies and employment opportunities. <BR /> <BR />In all the discussions about cost, let us remember that the UK impact assessment shows a £2·66 billion net present value benefit from reaching net zero. It is about putting it in context. Fundamentally, and this is a key point, doing nothing will cost us more. Carbon budgets and interim targets simply provide the trajectory to ensure that the actions that we take are gradual and fair.”
“It is about investment in warmer, more comfortable homes, in buildings that cost less to run and in greater energy security. It is about investment in shopping local and improving biodiversity. All of us have expressed our concerns about Lough Neagh and reducing our emissions. That is another strand of the action that we will take on climate change. It is about investing in improving the health outcomes for people who live in cold and damp houses and have to travel to work through congested traffic that causes pollution. They do not have the resilience that many of us have to deal with fluctuating fuel and energy costs.”
“Some of the costs of the cap will already be part of our existing programmes and budgets, as I outlined. For example, they relate to public transport and work that we are already doing. Some of the costs will relate to things that are already planned. For example, we have developed policies to reduce fuel poverty, improve infrastructure, strengthen our economy and deal with issues in our health budget. That all comes together as one joint collective action on climate change. <BR /> <BR />It is key that we recognise those actions as investment in our public services and our communities, better air quality, reduced pollution, improved water quality and better public transport. Fewer cars on the road will also tackle congestion.”
“The targets are there, and there is a legal obligation on us to take them forward. <BR /> <BR />The next step is to bring forward the first climate action plan. Matthew O'Toole mentioned the climate action plan, and Robbie mentioned the fact that the preference was to have the plan alongside the carbon budgets. The issue is that we need to do the budgets before we do the climate action plan. Hopefully, soon after I get agreement on the budgets, we can consult on the plan and I can share with you all the detailed facts in the action plan and where we are going with it. <BR /> <BR />I assure Members that any financial impacts will be dependent on normal budgetary decision-making. A process is in place to ensure that value for money is key and that the consideration of any policy, programme or project is part of that.”
“However, people also need to understand the benefits of our making that investment. For example, investing in public transport may have benefits for us by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, but — guess what? — it will also mean that people will be able to travel more quickly and easily around Northern Ireland and that there will not be as much congestion. It will also improve air quality. That relates to a just transition, because air quality often affects the most socially deprived people in Northern Ireland. I do not think that it is right for us to ask people to endure that. There are difficult decisions to be made. Maybe I am different, in that I am prepared not only to come to the Assembly, take difficult decisions and face up to it but to look at the issue in a positive fashion.”
“Some of the contributions today do a real disservice to agriculture. I know farmers across Northern Ireland who know about the impacts of climate change, because they deal with them day and daily. They are getting on board with the interventions that will give them the resilience to go into the future with confidence in their business. I come to the matter very positively because of where we can go. I am very grateful for the fact that I got agreement at the Executive to bring the SRs to the Assembly. Hopefully, we will pass them and be able to move on. <BR /> <BR />I get people's concerns about the impact that carbon budgets might have on public finances. I know that the AERA Committee sought advice from RaISe on that, so people have asked those questions about it.”
“It means that we lose the opportunity for good, green jobs for people in Northern Ireland.”
“I am aware of the CCC's advice. It is clear, and it will put out a further statement tomorrow, about the urgent need to transition towards decarbonisation. If we go down the road of saying, "Sure Northern Ireland is quite small, so we can pass on that", that is a complete abdication of leadership. The Assembly voted unanimously for that legislation at Third Reading. I am doing this not only out of a moral responsibility to future generations in Northern Ireland and people across the world who are facing the consequences of climate change but out of the desire to grasp the opportunities. At the British-Irish Council last week, it was clear that people everywhere else are getting with this. We face the real possibility of losing that race. What does that mean?”
“It provided illustrations of what those targets might mean so that people understood what decarbonisation means for each sector. Those who responded supported each of the pathways, consistently by over 70%. For some of the pathways, such as those on waste and recycling and improving the energy efficiency of houses and buildings, that support was over 80%. In May, the Department published two detailed reports analysing and presenting the findings from the consultation. <BR /> <BR />Since I came into office, I have, in response to repeated questions from Members, provided updates on my progress on delivering the statutory requirements of the Act. I have been clear, and it is no surprise to anyone, that I will take advice from the CCC, just as my counterparts in the UK have done. No one should be surprised about that today.”
“By not setting those SRs, my Department is in breach of the law. Any further delay only adds to staff resourcing pressures and the legal costs of defending a missed deadline. It is hard to stand over that continued diversion of public-sector budget and resource when our public sector and departmental budgets are under so much pressure and we have the solution in front of us today. <BR /> <BR />I have also heard the concerns around scrutiny. I remind Members that the CCC published its advice to Northern Ireland in March 2023. That was 21 months ago. It was when we did not have an Assembly. In the absence of the Assembly, my Department undertook a public consultation for over four months on the CCC's recommended figures.”
“I will respond to a number of points that were made in the debate. Hopefully, I will cover them all. <BR /> <BR />Some of you queried why I have moved to set the targets in the 2040 target, and alleged that it was done too quickly, but I have followed each step of the process. The carbon budgets and the interim 2030 and 2040 targets have been publicly consulted upon. They have been to the Committee and the Executive. They have also been to the Examiner of Statutory Rules. Everyone here can, rightly, say that they have expressed their opinion and have had their say. The carbon budget regulations should have been set by the Assembly in December 2023. That is yet another example of the consequences of stop-go government. We have a legal duty to set the carbon budgets. That has been the case since 2022.”
“What happened when those lives were lost is a real concern for me. It is why I have introduced these regulations. Does the Member agree that lives are being lost beyond the places that we know and go on holiday to? We have a duty to citizens across the globe to tackle climate change. People are losing their homes and even their islands. They are not only losing their livelihoods; it goes way beyond that. We have a responsibility to stand up here in Northern Ireland and show leadership.”
“I will respond later to many of the Member's points. Will he acknowledge, however, that the Minister who moved the legislation at First Reading, Second Reading and Final Stage was a DUP Minister? You should have a bit more respect for your colleague who introduced the legislation in the first place.”
“I look forward to the debate and hope that Members will support the proposed legislation.”
“Some sectors are already overachieving, which will allow time for other policies to be developed with stakeholders, tested, assessed for impact and delivered. <BR /> <BR />On the issue of clarity for business, we need to set targets and the accompanying carbon budgets now. It is important to create a clear signal to businesses and provide greater policy certainty to encourage much-needed investment that will create new opportunities for existing companies to expand and diversify into new markets; drive innovation; improve productivity; and create new, quality green jobs and economic resilience. Setting carbon budgets and an emissions reduction target for 2040 is an essential step towards mitigating climate change, protecting our well-being and fostering a thriving economy that works in harmony with our environment.”
“They see how farming has become more and more expensive. I reassure the agriculture community that my Department understands those challenges, but I also recognise that we have to change to keep up with the transforming world and to protect our agricultural and rural communities. The just transition principle will be fundamental to ensuring fairness during the transition from a high-emission economy to a low-emission economy and to ensuring that support is provided where it is needed. <BR /> <BR />It is important that I clarify for all Members that the carbon budgets and targets are set at a regional level. They do not specify what each sector has to achieve. How we choose to reach the targets is up to us.”
“<BR /> <BR />As Minister with responsibility for agriculture, I know that the just transition is key. Many people in the farming community have felt under siege, not least from the actions of the Westminster Government over recent weeks. I will continue relentlessly to challenge those decisions by the Westminster Government. I hope that some will take solace from the unity that we have shown as an Assembly in standing together and showing support for them in the face of those decisions by the Chancellor. <BR /> <BR />Our farming community should not fear the carbon budgets and the targets. The reality is that many farmers see at first hand the impact that climate change is having here already. They can see it in the increased severity and frequency of flooding; the increased number of wildfires; and the increased cost of supplies.”
“<BR /> <BR />In addition, the Act requires all Northern Ireland Departments to have regard to the just transition principle when deciding on their emissions reduction proposals and policies. Before any policy or programme is implemented, just transition must be considered. The just transition principle in the Act seeks to ensure that the benefits of a greener economy are shared widely across all sectors. A just transition requires a whole-of-society approach to tackling climate change and its impacts, an approach that seeks to promote inclusion and to respect human rights whilst promoting development and the creation of decent work and quality jobs. There is a level of protection and scrutiny involved in the implementation of the carbon budgets and targets that has never been here before.”
“Ignore climate change and set aside our economy: many of the investments involved in order to meet our carbon budgets make sense on health impacts alone. <BR /> <BR />Many of you will be concerned about the impacts of taking climate action. Many, including me, are concerned about the impacts of not taking climate action. I reassure you that, for both of the statutory rules, there has been a detailed regulatory impact assessment; a rural needs impact assessment; equality impact screening; and a children's rights impact assessment. The Act also requires my Department to complete a financial, social and economic impact assessment. Each of those assessments undertaken shows that there will be societal benefits from future policies that Departments develop and implement to reduce emissions.”
“The benefits obtained from increased physical activity through the use of active travel can have a positive impact on health and well-being outcomes for our citizens. <BR /> <BR />Improving energy efficiency, as well as reducing carbon, reduces energy costs for hard-pressed families. Better housing also brings other health and well-being benefits, such as fewer respiratory problems and allergies. More active travel and the move to electric vehicles will reduce congestion and benefit the whole population's health by improving air quality and reducing pollution. Fine particulate matter from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal or diesel, is among the most toxic types of air pollution, with the potential to cause asthma, cancer, heart disease and premature death. Look at the pressures on our Health budget.”
“<BR /> <BR />Just as important, however, we cannot allow our economy to fall behind. Across the world, Governments are investing for net zero. They are innovating, building skill sets in the workforce and expanding infrastructure. We cannot allow ourselves to stay on dial-up while all our neighbours work off fibre-optic. As well as being the right thing to do, setting the targets and carbon budgets today is key to realising the many opportunities and benefits for all of society. All the national and international research shows that decarbonisation can bring substantial economic and social co-benefits, particularly for the natural environment and public health. Reducing emissions leads to improvements in people's lives as a result of improved water quality, cleaner air and better diets.”
“<BR /> <BR />In determining costs associated with delivering net zero, it is important to recognise that upfront costs represent investments in an improved society for future generations. We have not only a legal duty but a moral duty to do so. We have seen the tragedies in other parts of the world caused by climate change. Some people have lost their livelihood, while others have lost their life. I know that we play just a small part in that global challenge, but let us not be the place that waits for others to step up. Let us not be the people who sit back when we see others suffering. We in Northern Ireland are better than that. We need to listen to the young people here and in every other country who are calling on political leaders to take action and lead by example.”
“It is also clear that strong climate and environmental credentials are essential if we are to attract inward investment, maximise economic opportunities and compete on an international scale while showcasing the best of Northern Ireland. We can address and improve our productivity problems, increase incomes and, perhaps most importantly, improve the health and well-being of our citizens, particularly the most vulnerable in our society. It is essential that we take every opportunity to provide clarity to investors and businesses here and internationally that we have a stable and long-term commitment to decarbonisation in order to ensure that, as a region, we do not miss out on this generational opportunity.”
“Fundamentally, it is the cost involved in doing nothing that will put most pressure on our public finances and the wider economy. We have recently seen across the UK and Europe the devastating consequences of climate change. It is vital that we work to improve infrastructure and connectivity and allow our economy to evolve at the same pace as those of our neighbours. <BR /> <BR />The estimates also do not include all the benefits of climate action, which we term "carbon value". There are significant benefits for all the people here if we fully embrace the opportunities provided by green growth not only through welcome investment in green energy, employment opportunities and the benefits of decarbonisation but through increased energy security.”
“In the discussion about taking the necessary climate action, much of the focus has been on costs. Members will have seen the detailed regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) conducted on the SRs and will note that the CCC has advised that any estimated costs are not solely to the public purse. They would be delivered by investment from the private sector at a UK level and socialised across the UK. <BR /> <BR />For our first carbon budget period, our estimates are showing a net benefit. It is when we consider more expensive technologies for the third carbon budget that costs increase, but, as ever, technology is improving. The costs are coming down all the time. There is no requirement for us to implement engineered removals. Different and more affordable pathways to reducing emissions are open to us.”
“We run the risk of not even being at the starting line of the race to reduce emissions if we miss out on taking advantage of the economic, societal and environmental opportunities available through net zero action, and that is why today is crucial.”
“Scotland is moving to a carbon budget approach, and I am proposing the same approach today. The Scottish Government have also been clear that they are still working towards their net zero target for 2045, ahead of the rest of the UK. <BR /> <BR />Members, there is no rolling back from other countries. Ireland — a country that faces the same challenges as us on decarbonisation of the agriculture sector and the need for greater forestation and peatland restoration — has a 2030 target to reduce emissions by 51%: a higher target than we have. Over 139 countries worldwide are working towards a net zero target. That is over 90% of global GDP. We need to set carbon budgets and send a clear message that we will do our part in the global transformation and Northern Ireland will not be left behind.”
“It is important to be clear that every one of our neighbouring nations on these islands has targets that are not only equal to but, in many cases, more ambitious than what I propose through this legislation. We see a strengthening of the ambition from other Governments and an increase in the targets. Just last month, the UK Prime Minister announced an 81% emissions reduction target by 2035 for the whole of the UK. My counterparts in Wales have a 2050 net zero target that is similar to ours, but, this year, they put in place a pathway to decarbonise their public sector by 2030. We all know that Scotland is changing its 2030 target, but it is important to provide the context that the Scottish 2030 target matches my proposal for Northern Ireland for 2040.”
“<BR /> <BR />Between June and October last year, my Department ran a lengthy, 16-week public consultation on the emissions reduction targets and the first three carbon budgets. The consultation received 235 written responses. Over 700 people attended the 21 consultation events, including three specifically aimed at young people. In the responses, there was consistently over 70%, and up to 78%, support for setting the targets and carbon budgets in line with the recommendations provided by the CCC. At the events, the consensus was similar to the results of the consultation, with a majority saying that we should trust the science and follow the advice provided by the CCC. <BR /> <BR />We need to set our targets and carbon budgets to maintain pace with other nations.”
“<BR /> <BR />In summary, the carbon budget regulations will set the first carbon budget at an average annual reduction of 33%. The second carbon budget will be set at an average annual reduction of 48%, and the third carbon budget will be set at an average annual reduction of 62%. The 2040 emissions target regulations will set an emissions reduction target of 77% against the baseline. <BR /> <BR />I turn to the 2030 target. The CCC recommended that an emissions reduction target for 2030 should remain at a reduction of at least 48% against the baseline. That is the current target in the Act, and, in line with the CCC's advice, I do not propose to amend it. In accordance with the requirements of the Act, I laid a written ministerial statement yesterday, which set out my reasons for retaining that target.”
“We have a legal duty to set carbon budgets and interim targets, and that has been the case since 2022. The legal deadline for making the regulations has been significantly passed. My Department is in breach of the law and is already facing legal challenges. It is, therefore, vital that we take action now to put the legislation in place. Wasting our limited resources on defending a missed deadline serves no one's interests. <BR /> <BR />As required by the Act, advice was sought from the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC). The CCC published its advice in a report entitled 'The path to a Net Zero Northern Ireland' in March 2023. The SRs that I have laid in the Assembly, which are being debated today, are in line with the CCC's recommendations.”
“As you know, the Act sets a legal target for Northern Ireland to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which is in keeping with similar net zero targets at UK and EU level and those that have been legislated for in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Section 23 of the Act requires my Department to make regulations to set carbon budgets. A carbon budget sets a limit on the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are permitted within a five-year period. Carbon budgets are a key mechanism for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to put Northern Ireland on track to meet our 2030, 2040 and 2050 statutory targets in a planned and gradual way. The first three carbon budget periods are 2023-2027, 2028-2032 and 2033-2037. <BR /> <BR />The carbon budget regulations should have been set by the Assembly in December of last year.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to move the motion. Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, I thank you for agreeing that the debate should be held. It will cover the detail of the draft Climate Change (Carbon Budgets 2023-2037) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 and the draft Climate Change (2040 Emissions Target) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024. I seek the Assembly's approval for the two statutory rules. <BR /> <BR />First, it is important to set out that the regulations are being introduced to deliver on the statutory requirements that the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 placed on my Department.”
“I and my officials look forward to working closely with the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee as it begins its important scrutiny role. I commend the Bill to the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />In closing, I thank Members for their contributions, for the questions and issues that they raised and for their support for the Bill's Second Reading. It is a short Bill that will make support under the FVAS discretionary, the statutory requirement to do so being a legacy of its being an EU scheme and not appropriate in the post-EU exit world that we live in. Doing so does not, however, signal any plans to end the scheme here, and I have made no decisions on future funding ahead of the completion of reviews of the FVAS and of support for the sector more widely. The Bill will also allow for the two legacy schemes in question to be amended as necessary and appropriate in order to best reflect local policy and needs.”
“My officials will continue to liaise with their counterparts in DEFRA and across the UK to clarify their intentions and the implications for local stakeholders and, of course, for the Northern Ireland Budget. <BR /> <BR />I note the calls for alignment with the scheme as it has continued to develop in the EU since Brexit and the fact that stakeholders see that local growers are already at a disadvantage compared with their nearest competitors. I have heard that loud and clear. To that end, the Bill's enabling powers allow for the scheme to be amended, whether that is in line with developments elsewhere or simply to develop support that works best for Northern Ireland for our ambitions for a more sustainable agri-food sector. I welcome support for that aspect of the Bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />Without making the FVAS funding discretionary, there is a risk that our commitments under the legacy scheme may become unaffordable and that other DAERA priorities are not adequately supported. I have given assurances that I wish to support the horticulture sector and help it to develop and grow. Therefore, there are no plans to close the FVAS here. The previous UK Government made legislation that would close the FVAS in England at the end of the current programme in December 2025 and replace it with a new scheme from 2026. The Chair touched on the implications of that. I appreciate that uncertainty around the UK Government's new position is a concern for all UK growers and that it particularly impacts on those in Northern Ireland who are members of POs headquartered in England.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is essential to be able to set departmental funding priorities and to allocate the available budget accordingly. It is now even more important that I, as the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, can make those decisions. That is what devolution is about. As Members will be aware, the budgetary allocation for farming is no longer earmarked by the EU or by Westminster and will be part of the wider Northern Ireland block grant from April next year. That is a new horizon for us, because, previously, that funding came in seven-year tranches from the EU. I am aware of the uncertainty around that. Hopefully, through the agreement of a draft Budget by the Executive, we can give some reassurance to our farming community.”
“Therefore, I acknowledge calls for the continuation of support for the mushroom sector, in particular. I stress again that I have made no decisions on the future of the scheme here or on support for the horticulture sector more widely. A lot of people know that I want to support it. I will not take decisions until I have considered the outcome of the ongoing review of the FVAS and the planned review of food promotions. However, as I said, I and future Executive Ministers must have full scope to decide our funding priorities, including the levels of funding, in order to ensure that support is provided where it provides best value for money and to target it where it best meets local need. I therefore hope that Members will agree that it is an unsustainable position for a Minister not to have control over their budget allocation.”