16/05/2022
Agricultural Shows Sector Resilience Review Announced
Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced an independent external resilience review of NI Agricultural Shows Sector in Northern Ireland, to be led by Mr Aled Rhys Jones.
Making the announcement at this year's Balmoral Show, Minister Poots said: "It has been very heartening to see the agri-food sector bounce back from the last two years of the pandemic and everyone's enthusiasm to get back to business is very clear at this year's Balmoral Show.
"So today I'm very pleased to announce Mr Aled Rhys Jones has been appointed to lead a Resilience Review of NI Agricultural shows. Mr Jones has a wealth of experience and completed a similar exercise for the Welsh Government in the fightback against Covid.
"His independent review will identify and map out the challenges and opportunities for the shows' sector and aim to explore future support options and guide future policy. It will also identify new and innovative methods which could be utilised by local shows to help safeguard their future and bring forward recommendations for consideration by both the industry and government. This review will commence in the coming weeks and conclude late summer."
He continued: "I want to build on this week's Balmoral optimism and success across the NI agricultural show sector. These shows are key dates in our rural calendar and central points of the year for the agri-food industry and the farming community across Northern Ireland to promote their produce and build their businesses for the year ahead.
"I am also encouraged to see plans are well underway for the return of other local agricultural shows and to aid them in bouncing back from the Covid pandemic I announced a £0.2million support scheme. I am pleased to confirm that applications for the Scheme have issued to show organisers and I would encourage them to return the requested information before the end of the month so officials can begin to process those as soon as possible to enable Letters of Offer to issue."
Making the announcement at this year's Balmoral Show, Minister Poots said: "It has been very heartening to see the agri-food sector bounce back from the last two years of the pandemic and everyone's enthusiasm to get back to business is very clear at this year's Balmoral Show.
"So today I'm very pleased to announce Mr Aled Rhys Jones has been appointed to lead a Resilience Review of NI Agricultural shows. Mr Jones has a wealth of experience and completed a similar exercise for the Welsh Government in the fightback against Covid.
"His independent review will identify and map out the challenges and opportunities for the shows' sector and aim to explore future support options and guide future policy. It will also identify new and innovative methods which could be utilised by local shows to help safeguard their future and bring forward recommendations for consideration by both the industry and government. This review will commence in the coming weeks and conclude late summer."
He continued: "I want to build on this week's Balmoral optimism and success across the NI agricultural show sector. These shows are key dates in our rural calendar and central points of the year for the agri-food industry and the farming community across Northern Ireland to promote their produce and build their businesses for the year ahead.
"I am also encouraged to see plans are well underway for the return of other local agricultural shows and to aid them in bouncing back from the Covid pandemic I announced a £0.2million support scheme. I am pleased to confirm that applications for the Scheme have issued to show organisers and I would encourage them to return the requested information before the end of the month so officials can begin to process those as soon as possible to enable Letters of Offer to issue."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 November 2024
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
15 November 2024
Winter Vaccines: Get Boosted To Protect Yourself
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging eligible individuals in Northern Ireland to get their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. The agency highlights the significant benefits of vaccination in reducing severe illness and death, especially for those at high risk.
Winter Vaccines: Get Boosted To Protect Yourself
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging eligible individuals in Northern Ireland to get their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. The agency highlights the significant benefits of vaccination in reducing severe illness and death, especially for those at high risk.
14 November 2024
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
19 September 2019
Sex-Work Law Review Shows Minimal Effect On Demand
The change to Northern Ireland's prostitution laws four years ago has had only a 'minimal effect' on demand, an academic report has found. The Department of Justice published the independent three-year review into the offence of purchasing sexual services after the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act was introduced in 2015.
Sex-Work Law Review Shows Minimal Effect On Demand
The change to Northern Ireland's prostitution laws four years ago has had only a 'minimal effect' on demand, an academic report has found. The Department of Justice published the independent three-year review into the offence of purchasing sexual services after the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act was introduced in 2015.
06 June 2022
Poots Extends 'Bounce Back' Support Scheme Applications
A £200,000 'bounce back' support scheme for local agricultural shows is to be extended, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has announced. The Minister announced the deadline for applications will be extended by four weeks until 30 June during visits to the Ballymoney and Lurgan shows.
Poots Extends 'Bounce Back' Support Scheme Applications
A £200,000 'bounce back' support scheme for local agricultural shows is to be extended, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has announced. The Minister announced the deadline for applications will be extended by four weeks until 30 June during visits to the Ballymoney and Lurgan shows.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.