Compensation Let Down

South Down MLA John McCallister has expressed concern that the Agriculture Minister has "clearly given up on pursuing the Republic of Ireland for compensation following the dioxin scare".

Questioning the minister this week, Mr McCallister asked whether the issue had been raised at the recent agriculture sector meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council, but was told that "compensation was not discussed".

"The minister said that she had previously received an answer on the matter and would be carrying out a review, but - disappointingly - said she thinks 'compensation will not be forthcoming'.

"That simply isn't good enough. I had hoped that the Department would continue to pursue the Republic on this matter, but the minister has quite clearly given up," Mr McCallister said.

"The Republic has let us down in this, and the minister herself is in turn letting us down. Ultimately Northern Ireland's farmers are being left to foot the bill."