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The UK Agriculture bill is being discussed at Stormont today (Friday 21 February). Ulster Farmers Union representatives, including its president Ivor Fergusson, are attending the Northern Ireland Assembly AERA Committee to discuss the future of direct support for the agriculture industry post-Brexit.
Addressing the committee, Fergusson highlighted the fact that the Northern Ireland agricultural industry will depend on the outcome of future trade deals with the EU and other countries.
Support
“If trade deals are agreed that undermine the industry and the situation is created where NI farmers are undercut by food producers operating in other countries to lower production standards, they will need much more support to keep their businesses viable. I stressed that ‘resilience support’ will have to be an integral part of possible future support measures.”
Ferguson also raised the need for tracking agricultural support in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) under the NI/ROI Protocol which was agreed by the UK and EU as part of the withdrawal agreement.
Food and animal welfare standards must be maintained post-Brexit
“Future polices are being shaped and the UK unions are united in the belief that environmental, food and animal welfare standards must be maintained post-Brexit but that such a position must also apply to food imported from other countries. Otherwise, our farmers will not be able to compete in the market, putting the future of their farm businesses at risk which will ultimately impact the entire NI agriculture industry,” he said.
Transparency
“The UK cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to food security. The UK must continue to ensure farmers are supported to allow this to persist. Transparency and fairness in the supply chain is also an essential element within the bill and while we welcome the proposed measures to increase this for farmers and food producers, it needs to be strengthened and clarified to gain the widest scope."
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