McIlveen attends Irish National Ploughing Championships

Farm Minister Michelle McIlveen was among the many visitors from Northern Ireland, who attended the 2016 Irish National Ploughing Championships. The event was held on a 400-acre site, close to Tullamore in Co Offaly.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Sep 2016, 07:47 BST
Updated 5th Oct 2016, 14:04 BST
Agriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen with her Irish counterparts Michael Creed and Andrew Doyle in Co Offaly at the National Ploughing Championships. The huge event is an opportunity for Northern Irelands small rural businesses and the agri-food industry to explore and develop new market opportunitiesAgriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen with her Irish counterparts Michael Creed and Andrew Doyle in Co Offaly at the National Ploughing Championships. The huge event is an opportunity for Northern Irelands small rural businesses and the agri-food industry to explore and develop new market opportunities
Agriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen with her Irish counterparts Michael Creed and Andrew Doyle in Co Offaly at the National Ploughing Championships. The huge event is an opportunity for Northern Irelands small rural businesses and the agri-food industry to explore and develop new market opportunities

The minister confirmed that the recent 15% devaluation of Sterling against the Euro is evidence that the short term impact of Brexit on agriculture in Northern Ireland has been positive.

“The most obvious example of this will be the boost in Single Payment values which farmers can look forward to in a few weeks’ time,” she said.

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“If exchange rates remain as they are the payments available in Sterling terms will be significantly above those on-offer in 2015, and this is a good news story for farmers in Northern Ireland.”

During her visit Minister McIlveen met with her Dublin counterpart Michael Creed.

“We covered a range of matters, Brexit being one of them,” she said.

“Another issue discussed was the need to encourage farmers to utilise digital technologies to a much greater degree. This year 82% of Single Payment applications were submitted on-line: the equivalent figure for Northern Ireland was 62%.

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“There are many benefits to be gained by using the on-line submission process, one of them being the option of tweaking a previously submitted application prior to the final closing date.

“Both Minister Creed and I agree that 100% of single payment applications must be submitted on-line by 2018.”

This was Minister McIlveen’s first visit to the national ploughing championships.

“I am here to support all of the many agri food businesses in Northern Ireland, who operate on a cross border-basis,” she said.

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“My department has a major presence at the championships. Northern Ireland has a tremendous story to tell, from a farming and food point of view.

“Our food has world leading traceability and safety controls and it is produced on farms with a strong track record in quality assurance systems and high animal health and welfare standards.

“It is very pleasing to see so many Northern Ireland companies exhibiting here and to be able to work with the industry to help them inspire many people to visit us and see we are a truly great place to visit, stay, explore, taste and enjoy.”

Miss McIlveen told guests at the reception that the economic success of the industry was linked to developing the knowledge and skills of the agri-food sector and hailed CAFRE as having a central role in providing suitably qualified people with the right skills to ensure the continued success of the industry.

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“I’m delighted to see CAFRE showcasing their food courses and state of the art facilities which are available to both students and the industry to encourage creativity and innovative thinking,” the Agriculture Minister added before wishing Northern Ireland ploughmen every success in the ploughing competitions.

Related topics:Northern IrelandBrexit