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Farmers

Northern Ireland Executive Secures Final Approval for Agriculture Bill to Support Local Horticulture Sector

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Andrew Muir MLA, has secured final Assembly approval for the Agriculture Bill, which will provide powers to amend legacy EU rules in relation to the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme (FVAS) and Agri-Food Information and Promotions in line with local policy priorities. The bill aims to support the local horticulture sector by enabling the Minister to target the finite Executive budget earmarked for agriculture, agri-environment, fisheries, and rural development where it best meets local needs. The Fruit and Veg Aid Scheme will continue in Northern Ireland after this year, providing match-funding to Producer Organisations (POs) in the fruit and vegetable sector to improve their businesses through collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Agriculture Bill has secured final Assembly approval, providing powers to amend legacy EU rules in relation to the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme (FVAS) and Agri-Food Information and Promotions.
  • The Bill will enable the Minister to target the finite Executive budget for agriculture, agri-environment, fisheries, and rural development where it best meets local needs.
  • The Fruit and Veg Aid Scheme will continue in Northern Ireland after this year, with DAERA supporting Producer Organisations (POs) with a Head Office in Northern Ireland as they undertake a new three-year Operational Programme, commencing January 2026.
  • The scheme provides match-funding to POs to improve their businesses through collaboration, with the main beneficiary being the mushroom industry.
  • The Bill is essential to provide scope to make changes to the scheme to reflect the specific needs of the local horticulture sector and secure improved economic and environmental outcomes.
  • Officials are working at pace to help local growers avail of the support available under the scheme.
  • A replacement scheme will be developed with the horticultural sector, informed by a review of the legacy Scheme.

Statistics:

  • £X billion Executive budget earmarked for agriculture, agri-environment, fisheries, and rural development.
  • 3-year Operational Programme for the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme, commencing January 2026.
  • Match-funding provided by the scheme to Producer Organisations (POs) in the fruit and vegetable sector.
  • X% of the budget allocated for the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme.

Sources:

  • Northern Ireland Executive Government, "Agriculture Minister secures final Assembly approval for agriculture legislation" (no date).
  • Northern Ireland Assembly, "Agriculture Bill: Final Stage" (no date).
  • Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), no source provided.

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