DAERA Minister says 'reliance on fossil fuels exposes local industries to global events and resultant price volatility'
The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has been probed about what ‘engagement he has undertaken in response to the immediate impact of fuel price hikes on the farming and fishing industries’.
DUP MLA for south Down, Diane Forsythe, asked for answers about this in an assembly question.
In response the minister said he understood “the challenges that both farmers and fishermen are facing given the fuel price hikes due to the Iran War and I have had discussions with representations of both industries on the issue”.
"Unfortunately, reliance on fossil fuels exposes local industries to global events and resultant price volatility,” he added.
"At this stage it is not possible to determine the longer term impacts of the fuel price hikes but I will continue to monitor the market situation and my engagement with industry.
"My Officials have also been discussing the potential impacts on the farming and fisheries industries with UK Government officials”.