Huge response to ANC consultation

Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer has said that the huge response to his Areas of Natural Constraint Private Members Bill is clear evidence of the need to restore this support payment for hill farmers and those who farm on severely disadvantaged land.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Apr 2021, 14:42 BST
Declan McAleerDeclan McAleer
Declan McAleer

Mr McAleer said: “The public consultation ended last week and at the close of play there were 965 people who took part. I have continued to receive responses since then and the total has now surpassed 1000 which is very significant, especially during the COVID restrictions.

“The responses also included clear and unequivocal support for the Bill from the main farming organisations in the north, the UFU, NIAPA, the NI Farm Group and Farmers for Action. Their replies were detailed and set out a very compelling rationale for restoring the ANC scheme.

“I also received a formal letter of support from Fermanagh-Omagh District Council. This was very welcome and important as this district encompasses a huge amount of severely disadvantaged land, taking in a large part of the Sperrins and county Fermanagh which is 92% ANC designated land.”

Mr McAleer continued “This is a huge response and from our initial analysis almost 100% said they were in favour of the ANC payment being restored.

“This level of engagement is particularly impressive given that the consultation was online and we have poor broadband in many rural areas and are in the middle of a pandemic that restricted our ability to get out and about to meet people.

“Under other circumstances I would have went to the marts or held meetings with farmers and the wider community to garner support for the Bill. I did however make use of social media and took part in a number of online public meetings with farmers. The farming press also covered details of the proposal and many farmers contacted me personally after reading about it.

“In terms of the next steps, we are currently collating a summary of the responses into a consultation report and intend to lodge this with the speakers’ office next week. I anticipate that this will be followed by a period of engagement with the speakers’ office on any points of clarity to help us get the Bill ready to introduce to the Assembly.

“At this stage it is difficult to provide precise dates for the scrutiny stages but I will work at pace with my party colleagues, the AERA committee, other parties, stakeholders, the Bills office and the Assembly to get this legislation through before the end of this mandate,” Mr McAleer concluded.

Related topics:Declan McAleerSinn Fein