Ritchie leads cross-border farming delegation in Leadsom meeting

DEFRA Minister George Eustice and NIO Minister Lord Dunlop were also in attendance. Other representatives who attended the meeting included senior individuals from the Irish Sheep and Beef Association and Irish Milk Suppliers Association.

Ms Ritchie commented: “I was glad to be able to use my position in Westminster to set up a meeting between farming representatives and the Secretary of State for DEFRA, Andrea Leadsom. I know only too well the deep concerns farmers have as we face the uncertainty of exit from the European Union: uncertainty for subsidies, regulation and exports. The meeting with DEFRA and NIO Ministers was an invaluable opportunity to express these concerns, and put forth the solutions we are calling for.

“As the MP for South Down, I believe it is my responsibility to ensure the voice of farmers – particularly small farmers – is not drowned out in the noise and clamour of the Brexit debate. That is why I will continue to facilitate these direct meetings with Whitehall Ministers going forward.

“I was also particularly glad that I was able to facilitate direct representations from dairy farmers who rely on the cross-border agricultural supply chain in Ireland. With Irish agriculture so uniquely inter-connected across the border, it is imperative that British Ministers are made to understand the particular demands of our local sector post-Brexit.”