Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA recently met Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel in Brussels to discuss the challenges facing local farmers and the impact of EU policies.

Minister Gildernew was joined by Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson, who was in Brussels to meet a range of interests.

Speaking following the meeting, Minister Gildernew said: "This was a very useful follow-up to my last visit in January.

IMPORTANT

"It is very important to create a close working relationship with the Commission and to have avenues for us to be able to represent the needs of our farmers and rural communities, as they may not be the same as in other administrations in Britain," she continued.

"It was good to be able to hear direct about key issues like the CAP Healthcheck and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks, and to be able to tell her our concerns. I look forward to developing this dialogue."