Sinn Féin local representative Conor McGuinness has said that it is unacceptable that the Agri-loan scheme announced last October is facing further delays.
“The agri-loan scheme was announced late last year but to date this vital source of finance has not been made availabe to farmers despite the extraordinary and difficult situations that farmers have faced this year.
“We learn about this most recent delay in the same week that the Government announces that it will not support a pilot project for the public banking model, whcih provides such support and stability to rural economies across Europe.
“This ongoing failure by Government raises questions about the power of vested interests in the financial sector to undermind Government policy and ensure dominance in the banking sector.
“I have raised my concerns with the Minister and will continue to advocate for the early introducion of this scheme.”
[ENDS]
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness 