Sinn Féin Agriculture Conference

"Rural issues and the agriculture crisis must be addressed if local communities are to survive and have a sustainable future," said Sinn Féin agriculture spokesperson Gerry McHugh last weekend. "If the local community flourishes we all benefit. Is agriculture to go the way of the textile and steel industry?

The Fermanagh South Tyrone Assembly member was opening a Sinn Féin Agriculture Conference in the Milestone Centre in Carrickmore, County Tyrone, on Saturday 18 January. The conference was attended by delegates from across the Six Counties.

"Across Ireland, the agriculture industry is facing difficult and testing times. In many areas there is an urgent need to adopt both a united strong voice to represent all Irish farmers and the need to a more coordinated and focused All-Ireland approach to many of the key issues we face in rural communities.

"As an industry, there is an urgent need to coordinate a strategy to respond to and challenge the CAP reforms and Agenda 2000, as well as the pressing issues of EU enlargement and the consequences of the global market.

"Sinn Féin, like all political parties, needs to work with farmers and local rural communities to develop pragmatic solutions to the problems and threats facing rural communities.

"The shifting of agriculture policy towards a rural development model demands that we critically tackle the massive problems of red tape associated with this whole area in the north. Bureaucracy means that there will be a funding problem and that possibly as much as 40% of the available resources will not be drawn down into the communities where there is greatest need and where they are most required.

"If we are to strengthen and revitalise rural communities we need to look in detail at key issues surrounding structural funds, decentralisation and jobs, the weaknesses in rural infrastructure and issues such as waste management and the implications of EU environmental directives in areas such as nitrate zoning."

Discussion took place in workshops on agriculture and on rural development. A number of issues were brought up for particular focused discussion - the agriculture crisis, EU red tape, CAP reform, modulation, decoupling of livestock payments, food safety, traceability, environmental pollution of waterways, globalisation, restructuring the role of women in agriculture, the role of departmental planning and the impact of EU enlargement.

Rural development discussions covered the funding of community groups, Peace II and cross border issues and the position post 2006, when structural funds are likely to end.

Sean Clarke from the Agricultural Producers Association pointed out that farming is still the mainstay of rural areas and that farmers do not receive a reasonable return for their efforts. He added that much of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development policy and the outworkings of such policy amount to a policing of farmers on regulations as opposed to a partnership with the agricultural industry. He also pointed out that part-time farming may not be sustainable long term, particularly if off-farm work was not available locally.

Nigel Flynn from the Rural Development Council gave figures on car use over the North. He said figures show that urban areas like Belfast have a higher number of cars per head of population than areas like Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh.

Yet these are the areas where most of the transport budget is directed in terms of spending on rail and public transport. This option is not available in rural areas and the car is seen as essential. He also pointed out that the roads spatial strategy seemed to stop at the border in both directions and failed to collaborate on this vital infrastructure, leaving it underdeveloped.

Delegates said it was vital to break the link with British policy, which has been very detrimental to farmers' interests.

The impact of planning was also discussed, particularly the issue of planning permission for second homes within the farm for children. It was proposed that Sinn Féin campaigns to highlight the need for more jobs in rural areas for those farmers forced out of production.

Delegates felt that CAP reform and decoupling would have an enormous impact, as there may be a drop of one third in cattle numbers. This would impact on quality young stock and on numbers of finished cattle for processing.

Newry Councillor Michael Heggerty [check spelling] said "farmers must be supported and encouraged to come together in order to have a stronger voice". He proposed that Sinn Féin establish links in Europe to increase representation on EU issues and legislation.

Newry Armagh Assembly member Pat McNamee highlighted the lack of consultation with local communities and the lack of equality of services. Health, education, transport and childcare should all be policy led and campaigned for both North and South, he said.

Delegates highlighted the fact that the recent deprivation index change has also worked against rural areas. Armagh Councillor Pat O'Rawe highlighted the fact that there is no rural development strategy post 2006, saying "much of the present funding may not be drawn down as forms are creating difficulties.

"Rural communities need government to commitment to rural areas. Proper resources must be made available to rural areas if community development is to survive post 2006."

South Down Assembly member Mick Murphy raised the issue of rural isolation and the 1,500 farmers who have left the industry. "Many people suffer depression with high rates of suicide," he said, proposing a rural-proofing agency be established, as the present policy is not working.

The conference also called for the all-Ireland promotion of agriculture and animal health protection.

Sinn Féin also called for the establishment of All-Ireland milk quotas, with the redistribution of excess quota to those in need South of the border who wish to expand. This would have the effect of assisting restructuring, especially with many likely to leave the industry. The party also called for a Food Promotion Agency to operate on an all-island basis with a clean green image.