Social Democratic and Labour Party MLA for Mid Ulster Patsy McGlone has called on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to confirm the level of support he intends to provide for rural communities through the Just Transition Fund for Agriculture.
The Climate Change Act 2022 requires the Minister to establish a Just Transition Fund for Agriculture in order to provide advice and financial assistance to the agricultural sector to help deliver its contribution to the target of Net Zero by 2050.
Mid Ulster MLA Mr McGlone said, “I am aware of growing concern within the farming sector about when the Just Transition Fund for Agriculture will be established as required under the Climate Change Act of 2022. There is also a lack of clarity about the level of advice and financial assistance that the Minister intends to provide through the fund. These uncertainties are undermining confidence in the Minister’s ability to support farmers and rural communities in delivering their contribution to the Net Zero targets.
“The farming sector is determined to play its part in the overall goal of reaching Net Zero, but there is a need for the Just Transition Fund for Agriculture to be established and the level of available assistance to be set out clearly. I have asked the Minister for more details on the level of advice and financial assistance he intends to make available for rural communities through the Just Transition Fund for Agriculture.
“I will continue to work constructively with the farming sector and the Minister to ensure that all elements of the Climate Change Act are in place and the target of Net Zero by 2050 is achieved.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Tabled Assembly Question: (AQW 12456/22-27: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what level of (i) advice; and (ii) financial assistance he intends to make available for rural communities through the Just Transition Fund for Agriculture.
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