To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline (i) the process for appointing the Agri-Food Strategy Board; (ii) the independence of the Board collectively; and (iii) the independence of individual members of the Board to fulfil the role.

The Chair and industry members of the Agri-Food Strategy Board (AFSB) were appointed on merit following an open competition conducted in accordance with the spirit of the CPANI Code of Practice. This included the presence on the assessment panel of a CPANI affiliated independent Panel Member. The criteria used to appoint members were as follows:

A proven track record of contributing successfully at Board level to the strategic direction of a complex organisation;

A proven ability to work at a strategic level with stakeholders from different perspectives to agree a common strategy and evaluate and monitor progress against agreed targets; and

A good knowledge of the issues facing the local economy and a good understanding of the strategic issues facing the local agri-food industry.

I made the appointments jointly with the DETI Minister.

In line with the CPANI guidance, a public appointee may be reappointed for a second term subject to evidence of effective performance, continued adherence to the principles of public life, and a willingness to continue in post. The AFSB Chair and members were reappointed for a further 2 year term until 19 February 2017.

There are also 4 ex-officio members of the Agri Food Strategy Board, appointed as representatives of DARD, DETI, and Invest NI.

The Chair and industry Members were appointed on the basis of their skills and experience to develop a strategic plan for the agri-food sector, rather than to ensure that specific sectors, or elements of the supply chain were represented. They act independently from the Departments.

(iii)As part of the appointment process Members committed to uphold the seven principles of public life as defined by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, which commit to independence through selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Members also committed to disclose all actual or potential conflicts of interest to DARD or DETI as they arise. DETI/Invest NI and DARD’s internal procedures to deal with such issues are sufficiently robust to guard against any actual, potential or perceived conflict in relation to any of the industry members.