The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bríd Rodgers, has welcomed the appointment of Margaret Beckett as Secretary of State at the new Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Mrs Rodgers said that she looks forward to working with Margaret Beckett and her team of Ministers and stated:-

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“There are many important issues facing agriculture on these islands which will need to be addressed during the term of the new Labour Government. In particular, the relationship between the farming sector, the rest of the food chain and the environment will require particular attention in the coming months. While the industry’s recovery from the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak will be paramount in the immediate future the longer term strategy and the review of the Common Agricultural Policy will assume an increasingly greater significance.”


The Minister went on to emphasise the importance of the Fishery sector and said:-


“I am pleased that I will have an early opportunity to meet the Fisheries Minister in advance of the Fisheries Council in Luxembourg next week.


This will provide an early opportunity to emphasise the importance of this sector in Northern Ireland.”

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Finally, Mrs Rodgers paid tribute to the outgoing Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister, Nick Brown. She said:-


“I want to thank Nick Brown for his courtesy, understanding and commitment to Northern Ireland. He has always respected the voice of the Devolved administration on matters which have a UK-wide impact. I wish him well in his new post as Minister for Work.”

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