Ritchie Appointed To Top Westminster Rural Committee

SOUTH Down MP Margaret Ritchie has been congratulated by party colleague Delores Kelly MLA, SDLP Upper Bann MLA and Deputy Chair of the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee, on her prestigious appointment to the House of Commons Select Committee for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA).

Ms Ritchie will be the only Northern Ireland MP sitting on the important committee at Westminster.

Mrs Kelly said: “This is an exciting new position for the SDLP which will enable us to play a key role in shaping policies which will directly impact upon rural people, particularly farmers and the agri-food industry.

“I look forward to working with Margaret as the voice of the people of the North of Ireland on agricultural issues in Westminster and to help her through my role on the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee in improving conditions for people living in rural areas and working in the agriculture sector.

“Many challenges will be facing agriculture and the rural economy in the coming months with the Common Agriculture Policy reforms and it is vital that people are represented properly both at Stormont and in Westminster.”

Speaking on her new role, Ms Ritchie said: “I am delighted to be able to take a place on this committee as the issues it deals with are of direct importance to my constituents and people across the north of Ireland.

“The recent negotiations on fishing quotas demonstrated how regional concerns are often marginalised during negotiations between the British government and the EU. Therefore it is important that there is a strong local voice on agricultural and rural affairs at Westminster.

“I will work through the Committee to hold the government to account by speaking up in the interests of our fishermen, our farmers and indeed all of those who make their living from the land.

 “In the coming months the Committee will be addressing vital concerns in relation to the Common Agricultural Policy and the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. These decisions will shape the future of our local economy for decades so it is critical that these discussions are handled correctly and are responsive to regional concerns.

“The EFRA Committee gives me, and the SDLP, a platform to put forward our ideas as to how these reforms need to reflect the needs of the rural economy and the fisheries industry in Northern Ireland.”