The NIMGA hosted the Under Secretary of State Fleur Anderson MP and Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir MLA at the local farm C & L Mushrooms in Co Down, to highlight the challenges facing the Northern Ireland mushroom industry.
NIMGA Chair, John McArdle, highlighted the need for sustainable growth:
“We have the demand and the potential to grow, but our hands are tied on issues which are beyond our control. The Republic of Ireland offers more support for its mushroom sector through an effective visa scheme and investment in innovation, energy efficiency and automation. We need similar backing to stay competitive.”
The recent announcement of the extension of the Fruit and Veg Aid Scheme (FVAS) was welcomed and Mr McArdle said:
“There is a real opportunity to get the right support mechanisms in place to boost sectoral growth. We look forward to working with the Minister and his officials on the development of a successor programme to the existing FVAS, as we move towards a sustainable net-zero future for the mushroom sector.”
There are vital signs of life in the Northern sector as the local industry braces for the uncertain economic headwinds that we now face into.
