MP Carla Lockhart and Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) party colleague and member of the NI Assembly Agriculture Committee, Michelle McIlveen, met with the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) to discuss a number of critical priorities facing the province’s agri-food sector.
UFU president William Irvine, deputy president Glenn Cuddy and parliamentary officer, Alexander Kinnear, highlighted a number of issues of concern, including climate change, especially ammonia emissions and the freeze on outstanding planning applications for farm buildings, future funding, animal health issues, the introduction of XI0 tags and the EU-imposed threat to veterinary medicines.
One of the main topics on the agenda was bovine TB, which is reaching almost crisis levels on farms across Northern Ireland.
Lockhart said: “There has been much discussion about TB in recent weeks, most of which was sparked by the BBC’s controversial documentary featuring Brian May.
“Bovine TB is a complex disease which has devastating consequences for family farms and the agri-food economy. Compensation is a constant strain on the public purse and it’s obvious that current protocols and a dated skin test aren’t doing enough to combat the problem, let alone eradicate it.”
The DUP agriculture, environment and rural affairs spokesperson added: ”The new Westminster Government has accepted the challenge to eradicate TB by 2038. It is time for new tactics and a more robust and structured plan, coupled with more accurate testing and earlier detection of this decimating disease.
Meanwhile, McIlveen welcomed the government’s recently launched TB eradication strategy which includes plans to develop a cattle vaccine.
“Agriculture is a key player in the local economy and it’s vital that we do everything we can to safeguard the province’s livestock industry,” she said.
“As a devolved government, the Stormont Executive is responsible for its own policy in the fight against bTB. Existing practices need to be revised urgently.
“In March 2022 former agriculture minister Edwin Poots unveiled a new bTB Eradication Strategy. His detailed proposal was designed to put Northern Ireland on a path to reduce and eventually eradicate this disease which has decimated cattle herds for decades.”
TB strategy
Lockhart has now called for the Stormont Assembly and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir to implement the strategy outlined by the former agriculture minister.
The UFU is understood to be supportive of the framework which focuses on three key areas, cattle measures, finance and funding and the role of wildlife.
“Time is of the essence and the ‘intensive programme’ will require a strong, committed partnership between government, vets, farmers, conservationists and other industry stakeholders,” Lockhart continued.
“Edwin Poots considered all the options, including scientific evidence, the experiences of other jurisdictions, as well as industry consultation responses and environmental reports.
“Stormont must proceed and take action on all ‘problem areas’ identified within the bTB Eradication Strategy for Northern Ireland.”
UFU dissatisfied with planning process
The UFU leadership team was also highly critical of DAERA and Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) with regard to the backlog of planning applications lodged by farmers. Currently only 3% of land in Northern Ireland is eligible for development.
Carla Lockhart said: ”Applications for farm development, relating to both new buildings and the replacement of existing sheds, has come to a halt in Northern Ireland because of inflexible and overzealous rules.
“I appreciate government agencies are committed to reducing ammonia emissions from agriculture, but progressive farmers and agri-food manufacturers are caught in the middle of bureaucracy and moving goal posts.
“Farmers are custodians of the land and are already working hard to reduce ammonia emissions from agriculture, with many keen to renovate and re-develop buildings and farmyards in a bid to make their businesses more efficient and sustainable.
“Enabling farmers to upgrade and enhance farm infrastructure will improve animal welfare, increase farm safety and meet environmental standards,” she said.
She explained that existing regulations, especially those surrounding intensive farming enterprises such as pigs and poultry, are leaving farmers angry and frustrated.
She claimed that the current situation is counterproductive and has no regard for the mental well-being of farmers and the livelihood of family-run enterprise or the agri-food supply chain.
“The relevant bodies need to resolve the issue urgently as farmers must be allowed to progress and invest in their businesses to safeguard a sustainable agri-food industry,” she continued.
The DUP elected representatives gave their assurance that they would continue to press the UK Government to deliver a solution to secure the availability of veterinary drugs in NI, following the post Brexit ‘grace period’ which expires at the end of December 2025.
“It is alarming to think that over 50% of veterinary drugs, including vaccines and antibiotics used on a daily basis across all sectors of the industry, could be made inaccessible in Northern Ireland,” Lockhart said.
“This would be catastrophic and will cause significant implications for animal health and welfare, as well as the economy.”
