Northern Ireland Assembly Member Michelle McIlveen has been appointed as the new minister of agriculture – the third Michelle in a row to hold the post.
Ms McIlveen heads up the new Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, which has replaced the old Department of Agriculture and Rural Development following a shake-up of all government departments under the Fresh Start agreement.
The Democratic Unionist politician takes over from former agriculture minister Michelle O’Neill, from Sinn Fein, who in turn had succeeded her party colleague Michelle Gildernew in the same post.
In a statement, Ms McIlveen said she wanted to ensure continued growth of the agri-food industry, but with an eye on the new environmental brief.
“The new assembly mandate provides the opportunity to address challenges around the protection and improvement of our natural environment. In the years ahead we must enhance water quality, conserve habitats and species, and support improve ments in recycling and resource management.”
The Ulster Farmers’ Union said Ms McIlveen would face many challenges in her new role, with the farm income crisis at the heart of any initial discussions.
Other priority issues would include securing more fairness along the food supply chain, easing the path of young people into the industry, opening new markets, ensuring direct CAP payments reach farmers in good time, and scrapping the Agricultural Wages Board.
During the last Assembly, Ms McIlveen served as chairwoman of the assembly’s culture, arts and leisure committee and acted briefly as regional development minister before the election on 5 May.
She was educated at Methodist College Belfast and graduated from Queen’s University with a masters in Irish politics and a certificate in education.