The DUP’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Westminster spokesperson, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart, has praised the DAERA for continuing to fulfil a ministerial direction from former Minister Edwin Poots, to ensure that direct payments are made in September.
98% of farm businesses have already received their direct payments.
According to Lockhart, farmers in Northern Ireland “were delighted to receive their annual payment, which in many cases provided a much-needed lifeline to the farm business”.
“More than 23,000 farmers received a share of the £258.4 million already paid out.
“It has been a challenging year for the agri-food industry, with the cost-of-living crisis, unpredictable weather, volatile farmgate prices and soaring energy and overhead costs.
“Although the annual direct payment has been welcomed by farmers, it is only a short-term fix and isn’t enough to sustain farm businesses that are under severe financial pressure,” she continued.
Lockhart MP
A report published by DAERA suggests that farmers are “facing a significant shortfall in farm incomes, possibly around half of last year’s figures”, the MP added.
“Farming is crucial to the agri-food industry and it vital that the government’s forthcoming budget provides sufficient funding to support rural communities and safeguard family farms for generations to come,” Lockhart continued.
Back British Farming Day at the House of Commons saw politicians and industry unions come together to celebrate agriculture in the UK.
During the event, DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP and party colleagues including Lockhart MP, Sammy Wilson MP, Jim Shannon MP and Gregory Campbell MP, took the opportunity to engage with Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) president William Irvine and parliamentary officer, Alexander Kinnear.
Future funding for farmers was the main topic of discussion, with local politicians and UFU representatives united in their calls for the government to recognise the true value of the farming industry in NI.
Lockhart said that the “message is clear – no farmers, no food. Agriculture is our largest industry, producing food for over 10 million consumers mainly throughout the UK and further afield”.
