A Farmers’ Charter Review Group was set up in 2014 with a view to agreeing a new Farmers’ Charter of Rights. The Review Group was originally chaired by an Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and comprised senior Department officials and representatives of farming organisations.
Following on from positive engagement by all parties, negotiations between my Department and farming organisations on a new Farmers’ Charter of Rights concluded on Thursday 11th June 2015 with consensus achieved on the Charter.
Subsequently, a Farmers' Charter of Rights Monitoring Committee was established to monitor agreed targets and standards. This Monitoring Committee comprises representatives of farming organisations, staff of the my Department and an independent chair.
My Department is satisfied that the Committee is meeting its objective with the current composition of the Committee.