"Over the last number of years the Northern Ireland banks were willing to borrow farmers hundreds of thousands of pounds to invest in land, machinery, farm buildings and livestock. It is vital that the main banks work with these farmers over the coming months. I will work on behalf of the farmers to ensure that they are not unfairly treated by the banks," he added.
"Our dairy farmers in particular have been struggling against poor prices and continued pressure for assistance to the dairy sector must remain as a top priority. The Committee in the past has put pressure on Brussels to act and working with representatives in Europe we can hopefully have a positive impact for our dairy sector.
"Through the agriculture committee I will be asking why Northern Ireland farmers receive one of the lowest prices in Europe for the milk they produce. I will be looking for engagement with all the main groups involved in the milk sector including the multiple retailers, milk processors and farm lobby organisations. If Northern Ireland beef can be successfully processed and value added before being marketed in GB I believe it is also possible for the dairy sector."
On the issue of animal disease control and eradication Mr Paisley pointed to the need for action by DARD to tackle the likes of TB and Brucellosis, which place a major burden upon local farmers.
"TB also costs the public purse over £20million each year," he further explained.
"I believe that it is no longer an option for us to control these diseases but we need to be working to eradicate these diseases from Northern Ireland. This will not only save the taxpayer considerable money but it will also result in benefits for the farming community. Devolution gives Northern Ireland the opportunity to put in place tailored strategies to tackle these issues and I will certainly be working closely with DARD and the industry to develop the correct policies.
"I intend to meet representatives from the different sectors of the industry in coming weeks, and most importantly to speak to farmers from right across Northern Ireland to hear the issues which are affecting them on the ground. As a Committee we can raise the issues with both DARD and the Minister to work to resolve the problems on the ground. Through my Chair of the agricultural committee farmers will know that their interests are being protected by those who are making the decisions with regard to agriculture."
Ian Paisley Jnr firmly believes that Devolution is making a difference for farmers here through reductions in red-tape and the concerns of agriculture being heard when it came to the decision not to proceed with an independent Environmental Protection Agency.
"However, as Chairman of the Committee I will be pressing DARD and the Minister to ensure that the Department actually works for farmers and is not seen as being in opposition to them," he stressed.
The new ARD Committee chairman also highlighted the dedication and commitment of his predecessor, William McCrea.
"I'd like to pay particular tribute to William McCrea for his work as Chairman of the Agriculture Committee. As a Party we have always put the interests of the farming community high on our priority list and I want to continue in that tradition of being a spokesman and advocate for the agricultural industry," Ian Paisley Jnr concluded.