New farm minister for Northern Ireland

30 November 1999



New farm minister for Northern Ireland

By FWi staff

NORTHERN IRELAND politician Brid Rogers of the Nationalist SDLP has been confirmed as the provinces new Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The appointment is one of 10 ministerial nominations to serve in the devolved government, which is set to start work on Thursday (02 December).

Donegal-born Ms Rogers, who is 62, is a founding member of the SDLP. She was involved in nationalist politics during the Catholic civil rights campaign in the 1960s.

The remit of her department includes responsibility for food, farming and environment policy, agri-food development and rural development.

Speaking about her appointment, Ms Rogers said she was looking forward to be briefed in detail about the state of play in the industry.

“I am very conscious of the current difficulties in all areas of the agricultural industry and the pig sector particularly,” she said.

“I will want urgent meeting with the leaders of the industry to obtain their view on the way forward.”

Ms Rogers said the job would be difficult because of the importance of farming to Northern Irelands economy, but added that she was looking forward to the challenge.