To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether his Department will explore the benefits of agri-tourism in Northern Ireland, in terms of (i) the overall economy; and (ii) in any post-COVID-19 planning for the agricultural sector.

My officials are currently working to develop a new Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland. This work has indicated the need for farm diversification, including potential agri-tourism activities, to generate new income sources which will contribute to both sustainability of family farms and to the wider rural economy. I intend to go out to consultation on the new Rural Policy Framework later this year but officials will also consider, from the work undertaken to date, what actions could contribute to post Covid 19 planning.