It was heartening, if a little belated, to see that the dire straits that the mushroom industry finds itself in, in the North, finally made it to the top table of government.
The meeting of the remaining compost producers, Sean McArdle from Reen Compost, and Thomas McKew of Tandragee Compost, with MEP Jim Nicholson and the newly installed Minister of Agriculture, Michelle Gildernew, was well covered in most media outlets.
There were urgent vibes given off at the meeting, and Stalker understands that moves are afoot to somehow attempt to ease the pressures on the mushroom industry that have built up, so ineluctably, over the past few years.
The wider horticultural sector is also, hopefully, going to benefit from any assists and strategies that might arise from the recent ministerial push.
Stalker has been told that the Minister has already had meetings with the supermarkets and retailers, to try and ameliorate the severe pricing and supply policies that they have inflicted on the mushroom sector.
Word is that, initially, there was a cold response to meetings and telephone overtures from the Minister by the multiples; but that after a little thought apparently the Minister's phone was lighting up with call-backs.
Let us hope it was thus; power can be persuasive.
One policy assist that may fall into place sooner rather than later is an allowance on electricity bills for the sector.
Let's hope the measures introduced come in time to save the kernel of the industry that is left.
