President Graham Furey, along with Deputy Presidents Harry Sinclair and John Thompson, Chief Executive Clarke Black and Policy Director Wesley Aston, re-enforced their disappointment and frustration on DARD's failure to carry out proper consultation on this important issue despite repeated requests from the UFU.
The Union are also concerned that DARD has put forward a plan for the delivery of Tranche 2 of the Farm Modernisation Scheme that will significantly disadvantage a large proportion of potential applicants.
UFU representatives asked the Minister to reconsider her decision to use land classification as a selection criterion, to re-evaluate other proposals for the scheme and consult fully with all relevant stakeholders to introduce a more appropriate system that is more relevant to the farm modernisation scheme and does not significantly disadvantage large numbers of local farmers.
Commenting on DARD's current plans regarding the further rolling out of the Farm Modernisation Scheme a Department spokesman told Farming Life that there are four additional selection criteria proposed for selecting between applications for Tranche 2 of the Farm Modernisation Programme - land classification, degree of modernisation, succession opportunity and e-communication.
He added: "These selection criteria are important, not only because the European Commission has told us that it is key to select transparently between applications, but also because it means that there is not a need for a business development plan to be submitted by farm businesses, something the industry have consistently said they do not want.
"This Tranche should target disadvantage, by focussing on those businesses within the Less Favoured Areas where a need for genuine modernisation is greatest to enable those who are successful to use the grant to help them become, or remain, competitive, while working in a very challenging environment.
"Modernisation, of course, is the objective of the measure, and the suggestion is that 3 scoring bands will be available, and equipment assigned, depending on the level of their modernising attributes.
"The focus on young farmers is something that consultees have indicated is a good way to encourage young people to continue to have a career in the industry."
He concluded: "E-communication as a way of signalling the Department's wish to promote this way of doing business, not just for DARD's benefit, but also for the customer. An increase in the amount available in tranche 2 to £7 million and a reduction in the maximum level of grant from £5,000 to £4,000 will ensure that more farmers will be able to benefit from the support available.
"It is intended that a third tranche of the programme will follow in 2011 and consideration will be given in due course as to how it should be targeted."