To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs how the Northern Ireland Food Strategy Framework will support local food and drink producers.

I was delighted to be able to launch Northern Ireland’s first ever Food Strategy Framework on 14 November. The NI Food Strategy Framework, which was approved by the Executive on 18 July 2024, is a new strategic collaborative approach around food that will help to improve economic, environmental, health and social outcomes for Northern Ireland. It will set the direction of travel for cross-departmental working around food.

I am very aware of the value and importance of the agri-food sector to Northern Ireland’s economy, with the agriculture and food processing sectors employing around 80,000 people. This is particularly significant in our rural and coastal areas. My department is dedicated to improving the sustainability, productivity and resilience of the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland and continues to operate a range of existing programmes to support the sector. This includes the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme, which supports the promotion of NI produce.

However, no single Northern Ireland department has all the policy tools required to deliver the Framework’s vision and ambition. Work is therefore ongoing to develop a cross departmental action plan, which I aim to bring forward to the Executive in early 2025. It is anticipated that this action plan will set out both interventions which can be quickly made, as well as the steps which will prepare for longer term initiatives. Delivery of the Framework will require significant leadership, strong partnerships, a shared understanding of needs, the combination of resources, and effective governance arrangements. With these factors in place, it will be a great success.