“Six months on from the publication of the Agri-Food Strategy Board ‘Going for Growth’ Action Plan and yet we are still waiting for the Executive to respond to the recommendations.”

This was the criticism from Ulster Unionist MLA and Agriculture spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson, as she called for an immediate response from the Agriculture and Enterprise Ministers at Stormont.

Mrs Dobson said:

“The Executive have had over six months to show their commitment to our local farmer and the agri-food industry by getting behind the recommendations contained within this action plan. Support from Stormont is key to delivering the ambitious targets for growth within the industry.

“I have consistently been calling for the early publication of the Executive response, yet none has been forthcoming.

“When I questioned the Agriculture Minister last month I was told the response would be coming ‘in the near future’ and this week Department officials informed us there would be a response ‘in the coming weeks’ - words without action.

“Farmers will not be so easily fooled. They know that for the industry to grow we need to see investment from Government. It’s true that the targets and 118 recommendations within ‘Going for Growth’ are ambitious, but without a will to support sustainable growth within the sector they can never be achieved.

“If the recommendations are to succeed and targets met, which include growing industry sales by 60%, sales outside Northern Ireland by 75% and employment by 15% the Executive must step forward and give its full support to the Plan.

“The Agri-Food Strategy Board is appearing before the Agriculture Committee at our meeting on 10 December and it will be interesting to hear their views on the lack of response received from the Executive.

“My Ulster Unionist colleagues and I will continue to push for an immediate response – to continue to delay can only damage the likelihood of key targets being met.”