'Pressure has delivered change'

That was the message from Ulster Unionist Assembly Member George Savage following Question Time with the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Speaking from Stormont, he said: “I asked the Minister what lessons had been learnt by her Department following on from the debacle that was Tranche 1 of the Farm Modernisation Programme.

“She advised that the method of application has been vastly improved and will result in no queues with applications accepted either online, via post or hand-delivered.

“This is progress and I am glad that the Minister has listened to those who voiced concerns following last years appalling scenes of farmers queuing up overnight and camping out. This change is welcome.