SIX months after taking up office, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has received the type of report card most Stormont chiefs would be proud to take home and pin on their fridge.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) minister has been in post since the assembly returned in January.
A former health and environment minister, the DAERA portfolio appears a more natural fit for the DUP man, who comes from a farming family.
With both the agriculture and fishing industries facing ongoing and unique challenges post Brexit, the DAERA minister's role has the potential to be one of the most demanding on the hill.
As in most sectors the coronavirus pandemic has also presented unforeseen difficulties for those involved in both industries.
President of Ulster Farmers' Union Ivor Ferguson said matters that remain a priority for the industry include the approach to dealing with Tuberculosis (TB) and ammonia, a natural and invisible gas produced in livestock housing, slurry storage and spreading.
He added that Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol are also matters that farmers are concerned about.
Mr Ferguson said the lack of a an assembly for three years made “things difficult and slowed things down”.
The union chief said the farming community was relived to now have a minister in place.
“I think we were really in no man's land without a minister,” he said.
“The fact we have a minister makes life a lot easier, especially with (this) minister, he comes from a farming background and it's easier for us to get a message across to him and he understands farming.”
Mr Ferguson said that overall people were happy with the minister's performance.
“I would have to say we are satisfied,” he said.
“He has been in regular discussion with myself and the Ulster Farmers' Union and we can detect a willingness to support our farmers in Northern Ireland.”
Mr Ferguson said his organisation was thankful to Mr Poots and finance minister Conor Murphy for a £25m package to help farmers during the current health crisis.
Mr Poots has also scored highly with the fishing community.
Harry Wick, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Organisation, said the minister has responded to the needs of his industry in the short time he has been in office.
He said that one of the first things Mr Poots did was to launch an industry consultation to protect the brown crab.
He added that Mr Poots has “also taken steps to address long running issues” relating to cod, haddock and other white fish in the Irish Sea.
Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, the fishing industry has been hit hard with many traditional markets affected.
Mr Wick explained that fishermen do not qualify for rates relief schemes and that the minister has taken steps to help relieve the burden faced by many, including announcing a £1.5m support package.
“The scheme has proved a lifeline to boats during the peak of the pandemic and that has covered the costs,” he said.
“In a nut shell I know people like to criticise politicians but to be honest he has made a very impressive start.
“His report card from us would read A-plus.”
