Poots visits Royal Highland Show

Celebrating its 200th year, the annual Royal Highland Show, similar to Balmoral Show, showcases the finest displays of Scotland’s livestock, machinery, produce, equine and countryside pursuits.

DAERA has provided funding to allow Food NI to take a number of local food companies across to the four-day show, where they are showcasing their produce and meeting with major retailers.

Minister Poots commented: “I am delighted to be able to visit the Royal Highland Show and to support the Northern Ireland exhibitors attending it.

“My department is actively involved in supporting our agri-food industry in the promotion of our high quality and award winning local produce, and this event is just one example of that.

“We have an agri-food industry that we all should be proud off, with high quality, sustainability and a great reputation, so I am hopeful that these food companies will do a great job in promoting the sector as well as increasing their sales and finding new major buyers.

“I want to commend Food NI for all their efforts in the promotion of NI produce at events such as this, and the development of the ‘Our Food. The Power of Good’ promotional campaign,” he added.

The minister also met with his Scottish counterpart, Mairi McAllan, MSP, Minister for Environment and Land Reform, and talked about common issues facing the agri-sector and the need to support such rural shows following the pandemic.

Mr Poots is also reminding local agricultural shows that the deadline for applications for funding from the £200,000 bounce back scheme is 30 June 2022 and he would encourage organisers to apply.