Lantra Chair discusses the future of agriculture

The future of Northern Ireland’s land-based industries was top of the agenda this month, as Lantra’s Chair Dr Gordon McGlone OBE visited the province to come together with the sector’s leading figures to address this matter.

Recognising the importance and value of the agricultural food sector in Northern Ireland, Lantra met with John Thompson, President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union to discuss the recent report by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)*. The report described agriculture as a ‘low priority’ in terms of economic significance and Dr McGlone expressed his disappointment at this inference. Dr McGlone said: “Agriculture makes a massive contribution to Northern Ireland and the wider UK economy in terms of employment, exports and GVA. Continual agricultural and food production is vital if we are to provide safe and affordable food for a rising population.” Dr McGlone also met with Phelim O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer from the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters’ Association (NIMEA) to discuss the role of agriculture and how NIMEA and Lantra could collaboratively work together to support and develop agri-food businesses. David Seffen, Lantra Partnership Manager said: “Given the recent boom and bust cycle of some industries it is important that the agri-food sector is supported and developed, both economically and in food security terms as there is an increasing demand for agricultural products to feed an ever expanding population which is expected to increase to 9 billion by 2050.” Meeting with Joe Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of the Young Farmers’ Club of Ulster provided an opportunity to discuss the role and remit of the YFCU. Whilst the YFCU also work with young people from the wider rural community and provide enjoyable opportunities for personal and social development, Joe advised that the YFCU are keen to champion the case for agriculture being promoted and retained as a priority sector at a UK level. Joe Hawkins stated: “In the current economic climate it’s vital that that widest range of land-based education and training programmes continue to be provided for young people. As a group, young people are already disproportionately affected by the recent rises in the unemployment figures and we recently shared some of our concerns on this issue with the Committee for Employment and Learning at Stormont.” Lantra are working together with all our industries for successful futures; if you would like to find out more about the work Lantra undertake contact the office on 028 7963 1304 or email ni@lantra.co.uk. ENDS ISSUED BY: Lantra Press Office - Paula Smyth, Marketing, Communications and Project Co-ordinator, Tel: 028 7963 1304 or email ni.media@lantra.co.uk. CREDIT FOR PHOTO: P1000294 – David Seffen, Joe Hawkins, Paula Smyth and Gordon McGlone at the YFCU stand during the Balmoral Show EDITORS NOTES: • *UKCES Skills for jobs: today and tomorrow – http://www.ukces.org.uk/upload/pdf/NSSA_Volume%201_FINAL_BOOKMARKED_110310.pdf • Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries represents the interests of approximately 20,000 businesses in Northern Ireland which employ around 63,000 employees (approximately 9% of the workforce). • Lantra is an employer-led organisation which is licensed by the UK government to drive forward the skills, training and business development agenda for the 17 industries in the sector. The industries represented are: agricultural crops; agricultural livestock; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; environmental conservation; equine; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; horticulture, landscape and sports turf; land-based engineering; production horticulture; trees and timber; and veterinary nursing.

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