Gildernew Visits National Ploughing Championships

Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (DARD) Minister Michelle Gildernew made a visit to the National Ploughing Championships in Co Offaly today.

During the visit, the Minister met with a number of organisations from across the island and met staff from DARD and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) who manned an exhibition at the event.

The Minister said: “It was great to see so many local companies and organisations attending the National Ploughing Championships, which also provide a great opportunity to demonstrate their products and services to a wider audience. I am particularly pleased to see so many northern competitors and I wish them all every success in finding that perfect furrow in the various ploughing classes.”

The event, Ireland's biggest agricultural show, is being held on the 500-acre site at Annaharvey farm near Tullamore.

It is anticipated that the three-day event will attract up to 150,000 spectators from all over the country.

Disinfection measures have been put in place to prevent against foot and mouth and the livestock disease known as Bluetongue.

At the show, Ms Gildernew said: “I am here today to give DARD and the new Executive a firm voice at major agricultural events like the Irish Ploughing Championships. We must keep up the momentum achieved since 8th May and strive forward to promote our local products and industry in all markets, especially following the recent foot and mouth outbreaks. The ploughing championships throughout Ireland are quite unique and it's always encouraging to see first hand the large numbers of the public who attend agricultural events.

Mary McAleese also attended the opening today and Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, is expected to attend tomorrow.

(LC/SP)