Ms Michelle O'Neill:

I will try to cover as much as I can. If there is any specific point to which I do not have an answer to hand, I will be happy to forward it to the committee afterwards. Deputy Ó Cuív referred to the dairy sector. The principle he was getting at was fairness in the supply chain. That is the key to the success of the industry. We have been very vocal on it in the North recently. In my opening remarks, I mentioned we have just recently developed an agrifood strategy. At its core, it recognises there is only one supply chain and that there needs to be fairness in it if everybody is to be successful. The crux has to be about fairness in the supply chain.

Reference was made to issues associated with milk, its origin, labelling and packaging. We do not need to be arguing over that but looking towards the export market and where we can grow. Since milk quotas are to be abolished in 2015, there is a massive opportunity that we need to be exploring together. World markets like what we have to offer.

World markets like the clean and green image that comes with our food. We need to work collectively to appeal to these markets.

Regarding Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, reform, we have had broad discussions in the past 18 months, but the devil is in the detail. We argued for flexibility which we now have. We need to agree with the industry on the supports the CAP will provide. There will be much competition between various sectors for supports. One positive outcome of the CAP negotiations was that the young farmer scheme would become mandatory, a support welcomed across the board. The age profile of farming needs to be challenged and we need to look at succession planning. Having this scheme on a mandatory footing will assist in the time ahead.

Regarding the limit on fishing boat sizes, I think it might be under 10 m, but I will have to revert to the committee on that issue. Drift-netting of salmon is banned, but it would come within the remit of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure as it is an inshore fishery matter.

There are difficulties in the fishing industry. The recent extreme weather meant fishing boats could not get out. There have also been other challenges such as the rising cost of fuel. We are working with the industry and have launched a research and development fund to assist fishermen to buy new nets. We are all working to do away with discards and to achieve better vessel efficiency. Many of the boats, particularly the smaller ones, could be more efficient. We have put in place a package to assist fishing boats to buy new satellite monitoring systems. This package comes to £750,000. Fuel costs, however, have meant many boats cannot get out to fish. This is a challenge that will not make the industry sustainable. Recently I announced a package to help fishermen with their operating costs. They will be reimbursed their 2012 landing fee which will provide them with a ready cash flow. We have to assist fishing communities, too. I am reviewing the European fisheries funds to see if we can maximise the spend and get supports to these communities.

I am very passionate about tackling the issue of rural poverty. While £16 million does not sound like an impressive pot of money, some of the schemes we have launched with it have been positive. We have been able to work with the Department for Regional Development on rural transport services, bore well schemes to provide access to water and the issue of youth employment in rural areas. We also have the MARA, Maximising Access in Rural Areas, project which maximises access to benefits. While a range of schemes have been successful, the main success has been that we have been able to leverage supports from other Departments. It is about putting the rural agenda on the agenda of all Departments and ensuring they bring forward effective projects that are good for rural communities.

We recently launched a campaign at GAA, soccer and rugby grounds promoting positive mental health and tackling rural isolation. I brought this forward with the sports Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín. The Northern Ireland Executive has a focus on tackling rural isolation and mental health issues. These projects make a real difference.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, and I corresponded frequently on the horsemeat incidents. There were positive engagements. The Food Standards Agency is the lead agency in the North which comes within the remit of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. If anything positive came out of this negative situation, it was that people wanted to see shorter supply chains and know from where their food came. They are now more inclined to go to their local butcher and buy local produce. That is the positive from this negative situation.

There are ongoing discussions at official level regarding animal disease controls and training exercises for tackling it. At North-South Ministerial Council level I have regular discussions with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on co-operation on disease controls. EU animal health law will be key to having effective strategies in place.