Sharon Fitchie

DARD Equality & Better Regulations Advisory Branch

Thursday 30th May 2013

DARD - What we do

• Look after animal and plant health

• Fisheries, forestry and food

• Disease prevention – eg Ash dieback

• Rural Development Programme

• Support for support farm families

• Develop sustainable rural communities

Strategic Plan (2012 – 2020)

• Agric – food sector worth £1 billion+• Protecting against animal / plant diseases• Support for farm-families to improve their

economic income• NI RDP (2014-2020)• Look after rural and marine environments• Commitment to Equality outcomes• Audit of Inequalities and targets

What’s ahead?

• DARD Strategic Plan (2012-2020)

• Next NI RDP (2014-2020)

• CAP Reform

• Relocating DARD HQ to several locations

• Reshaping of Government Depts

• Assembly Elections

Our team – What We Do

• Better Regs –identifying ways to reduce red tape

• S75 awareness raising, equality and good relations

• Advice on screening, EQIAs, policy development

• Input to, NI-wide strategies and action plans, UN reports

• Working with various sectoral groups / organisations

• Tackling the difficult areas

DARD approach –

• On-going engagement with sector groups / organisations

• Seek support from senior team

• Seek views, ideas and ways to collaborate

• Work to improve participation & representation

• Work to improve accessibility of services and info

Want More info?

Write to - DARD Equality Branch

Room 511, Dundonald House

Upper Newtownards Road

Belfast BT4 3SB

Tel: 028 9052 4435

E: equality.branch@dardni.gov.uk

W:www.dardni.gov.uk/index/agenda-for-equality.htm