Ford welcomes Review of Farm Modernisation Scheme

4.14.00pm GMT Mon 18th May 2009

David welcomed a commitment from the Agriculture Minister to review the operation of the Farm Modernisation Scheme.

Alliance Leader David Ford has welcomed a commitment by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to review the operation of the Farm Modernisation Scheme. He questioned the Minister in the Assembly today on the issue.

Speaking after Assembly Question Time, David Ford said: "Nobody wants to see a re-run of this year's application process for the Farm Maintenance Scheme. It was good to see that 9,000 farmers wanted to invest in their business, but only 1,100 will be successful, with around 8,000 missing out.

"I asked the Minister for an update on the scheme and specifically on arrangements for future tranches of grant aid. I am glad that she expressed a willingness to consult widely before next year's tranche, and plans to seek to develop a 'more robust mechanism' for the future. I urge farmers to make their views known when this consultation takes place."