Key measures announced need to be closely examined

Ulster Unionist assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott MLA has warned the public and farmers to closely examine the measures announced by the Executive on Monday 15 December 08 before thinking that this is a cure to the present economic down turn in Northern Ireland.

Tom said: "The announcement that £20m to the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme is welcome but let us remember that this money is already spent or allocated and is not a new opportunity for additional farmers to access the FNMS scheme and will not mean additional work for construction firms.

"In addition the Executive agreed to the allocation of £0.5m for Flooding Hardship for Agriculture is welcome but still unclear who will receive the money and at what level. I have already made representations to the Minister about the plight of farmers in certain sectors. Unfortunately the DARD business case was indicating that there was no case to be made and therefore unlikely to be entitled to any funding. There was a lot of crops destroyed and buildings damaged in summer floods and this amount of compensation falls well short of what is required.

"I trust that additional funding will be sought from further rounds of funding to make up what may be a further shortfall in the FNMS and also to assist the additional farmers who suffered damage due to the August flooding."