UUP motion supports farmers

Councillor Savage said: “As a farmer, I am acutely aware of the issues facing local businesses and producers, especially in the face of a global pandemic which is impacting on every part of our society.

“We as a Council have a responsibility to businesses in our area. I believe that we have a duty of care to our producers in ensuring that they get a fair share of the profit throughout the food chain.

“We already have a ‘shop local’ initiative and now we need to look at expanding it. I want the council to look at procurement regulations and how they can be adapted to help support local food producers and businesses. We need to look at everything from the frameworking of contracts, to encouraging local companies to apply for contracts, procurement training, meet the buyer events and many other potential initiatives. We should have full traceability on all foods that are used on Council property and at council events. We should also be taking into account the environmental impact caused by food miles.

“Cost is always an issue but we as a Council have environmental responsibilities too. We currently buy flowers from outside Northern Ireland when we have large nurseries in our Council area, bearing in mind that transport and energy are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

“As a farmer, I can see first hand the pressure that is facing our industry with the Agriculture Bill and the potential prospect of food imports of chlorinated chicken and hormone fed beef which are illegal to produce in Northern Ireland. Our agriculture industry supports up to 100,000 jobs in Northern Ireland and it is now time to actively support our local farmers, producers and businesses. That`s why the Ulster Unionist Group brought this motion to the Council and I am happy to say that it got cross party support. Now we need to put plans into action. Jobs rely on it.”

The motion was seconded by Ulster Unionist Councillor Sam Nicholson. Councillor Nicholson said: “I fully supported my colleague, Councillor Savage, in bringing this motion forward. The agriculture industry is a major employer within our Borough and it is currently under serious pressure. Now that the Agricultural Bill has been passed at Westminster which potentially opens the gates to cheap imports this could devastate our local farming industry. To date this does not seem to be an issue which is being prioritised by Stormont in the recovery of our economy. So, I believe we as a Council have a responsibility to support our local farmers and producers in the same way they supported us during the lockdown.”