Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has called on the British government to provide much needed certainty for local food producers as the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme is due to close this year.
The Newry and Armagh MP said:
“I recently met with representatives of the Mushroom Producers Organisation and listened to their concerns, particularly around the closing of the EU’s Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme.
“This initiative aims to support food producers to provide high-quality food locally, strengthening the rural economy and aiding food security.
“With this scheme due to come to an end this year, a direct result of Brexit, we are yet to see any clarity on a replacement or alternative from the British government.
“Local food producers need certainty and the ability to plan for next year and beyond, and the cliff-edge created by the ending of this scheme with no alternative in place is causing huge concern amongst local producers. This is particularly challenging for food producers in the north as their southern counterparts can continue to avail of EU support.
“I have written to the British Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs asking him to outline his plans for an alternative and, if none is in place, to consider extending the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme beyond 2025. The Secretary of State needs to engage with local food producers to ensure they can continue to produce high-quality local products.
“The British government must provide adequate support to food producers in the north in light of the unique challenges we face here, matching funding available in the south.”
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 