Lottery System Fairer Way Of Distributing Modernisation Grants

Tuesday 28 April 2009

SDLP European Election candidate Alban Maginness MLA has called on the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development to review the way EU farm modernisation program grants are allocated after the fiasco of farmers camping on the streets outside government offices.

The North Belfast Assembly Member said he had met officials from the Northern Ireland Agriculture Producers Association and argued that a lottery system would be much fairer than the present first-come, first-serve basis.

He said: "This week have seen the fiasco of farmers camping in the streets for the right to apply for grants.

"Some of the scenes outside government offices have been right out of the 1920s or Communist Russia.

"The rural economy is vital to the prosperity of Ireland and our farmers deserve all the help and support we can offer as they attempt to improve animal welfare and farm efficiency.

"Farmers want to modernise their industry yet the department is operating a first-come, first-served system of allocation. Is this really is the best way of doing business?

"How many of these farmers can really afford to be spending days away from their livelihood to sleep out on the streets?

"Moreover, these grants come from modulation money which is deducted from the Single Farm Payment cheques, so in effect they are queuing up for their own money back.

"Just last week I met officials from the Northern Ireland Agriculture Producers Association with my SDLP colleague PJ Bradley.

"We raised our concerns about the allocation of the EU rural development programme grants. We believe that a lottery system would have been a much fairer way to sort this out."

ENDS

Further information:
Alban Maginness: 07890 878955
Or SDLP Press Office 028 9052 1364