25th June 2002

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Call for Rodger to break dependence on British farming policy

Sinn Fein Agriculture Spokesperson, Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA Gerry McHugh has called on Farming Minister Brid Rodgers to break with her dependence on British farming policy.

Mr McHugh said:

``The issue of agrimonetary compensation in critical to local farmers. The decision of the British Minister responsible, Margaret Beckett, not to draw down the money that is sitting in Brussels is a disgrace and shows a total lack of concern for the future of the farming industry locally.

``It is time that our farming minister Brid Rodgers put pressure on Margaret Beckett to reverse her stance. Indeed I would go further and ask if Ms Rodgers prepared to renounce UK policy and Margaret Beckett's position regarding agrimonetary compensation?

``The cost of the British governments decision to reject the available agrimonetary compensation to farmers in the North cannot be underestimated.''

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