1. Sharon Fitchie DARD Equality & Better Regulations Advisory Branch Thursday 30 th May 2013

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

7. 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

8. 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.ukequality.branch@dardni.gov.uk W:www.dardni.gov.uk/index/agenda-for-equality.htmwww.dardni.gov.uk/index/agenda-for-equality.htm