Ulster Farmers Union ‘not ruling out legal action' over proposed Nutrients Action Programme
Officials from the representative body said its president William Irvine led a delegation during a 'robust' meeting with Stormont Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir on Tuesday raising 'serious concerns' about the proposals.
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Agriland
5 days ago
- Agriland
UFU: Impartiality 'extremely important' for NI NAP stakeholder forum
Everything is yet to be played for in developing a new Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) for Northern Ireland, according to Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) president, William Irvine. Speaking at this year's Clogher Valley Show, he said: 'We still have to see the terms of reference for the new stakeholder forum. 'The appointment of an independent chairperson will be extremely important within this process.' According to the UFU president, the direct appointment of a chair by Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir is not acceptable. Irvine added: 'Such an approach cannot be considered as being an impartial process. The farming and food industry stakeholder groups must have a role in the appointment of the chairperson, whose job it will be to drive forward the work of the new forum. 'Minister Muir says that he wants to see a new NAP agreed that will not harm the future prospects for food production. 'The UFU will be holding him to this commitment.' Irvine has also confirmed that getting key changes to the recently published UK finance bill will remain a key priority for the UFU during the period ahead. This legislative measure is the parliamentary vehicle through which the chancellor can introduce changes to Inheritance tax. The UFU president explained: 'We want to come up with a solution that meets the unique circumstances that confront farmers here in Northern Ireland. 'However, all the UK farming unions are at one on this fundamentally important matter.' According to Irvine, the union will make every effort to lobby politicians from all parties in the UK government on the inheritance tax issue over the coming weeks. It is anticipated that these measures will include a meeting with the chancellor, Rachel Reeves. Meanwhile, an alternative inheritance tax proposal has been drawn up by the UK farming unions and the Central Association for Agricultural Valuers (CAAV). If implemented, proposal would see potential inheritance tax liabilities reduced by a seventh every year for seven years after an agricultural holding is passed on to the next generation as a working farm business. According to Irvine: 'It's an approach that would mean that no inheritance tax would be paid on land and assets that are retained as part of a working farm business. 'But at a more general level, the envisaged measure would act to draw in more tax for the exchequer than the proposals that are currently on the table.'
Irish Post
5 days ago
- Irish Post
Three firms from North part of successful bid to export pork to Mexico
THREE businesses in Northern Ireland are among 12 companies included in a successful bid by the British Government to export pork to Mexico. Cranswick Country Foods in Ballymena, Karro Food Group in Cookstown and Interfrigo in Antrim are among the firms to have secured approval to export products to serve Mexico's rapidly expanding pork market. The government said it secured new access specifically for Northern Irish exporters through dedicated negotiations with Mexico. "I am delighted that Mexico has granted approval for Northern Ireland to export pork to its markets," said Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Andrew Muir. "This is testament to the exceptional standards we have in place here in Northern Ireland to produce high-quality meat at an international level and demonstrates our commitment to supporting our important agri-food industry. "Working together with industry, government and key stakeholders was essential to reach this agreement." 'Important achievement' With consumption in Mexico's pork market growing by 5.4 per cent annually between 2019 and 2024, industry estimates expect the deal to bring in £19m over the first five years. As well as favourites such as pork chops, the businesses will be able to export offal and edible by-products. This will offer farmers a return on parts that are less popular in Britain but which Mexican consumers relish as part of classical buche meat dishes. The agreement follows eight years of negotiations between Mexican and British authorities led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The deal will also pave the way for future opportunities for the North's exporters, with 20 per cent tariffs on pork set to disappear once Mexico ratifies Britain's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). "Partnership working between industry, government, key stakeholders and the Mexican food authorities has been instrumental in getting this agreement across the line," added Mr Muir. "This is an important achievement for our agri-food sector, allowing it to showcase the excellent standards of Northern Irish pork and helping to reinforce Northern Ireland's reputation as a trusted supplier of high-quality food products."
Agriland
6 days ago
- Agriland
Minister Muir responds to concerns raised over NI Nutrients Action Programme
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir has responded to concerns raised over Northern Ireland's Nutrients Action Programme (NAP). Opposition mounted in recent months against the draft NAP proposals announced this year by Minister Andrew Muir. In May, Minister Muir launched a public consultation on the NAP for 2026-2029, which he said contains 'additional measures which have been developed based on scientific research'. The main additional measures include further restrictions on use of chemical phosphorus fertiliser and a farm phosphorus balance limit for more intensive farms. In late May, representatives from across the farming and food industry in NI, including the Ulster Farmers' Union, wrote to Minister Muir, to highlight concerns about proposed changes. In the letter, industry said: "We are particularly concerned about how the science is being used, the complete lack of economic impact analysis and inconsistencies between certain measures within this consultation document and other policies which makes it difficult for stakeholders to comment on these proposals." The letter warned that the impact of proposals could be "far-reaching for the rural economy and indeed all of NI and it is therefore untenable that a proper impact assessment has not been carried out". Minister Muir has now responded to the open letter from the agri-food industry. His response letter, dated August 4, says: "The NAP was introduced 18 years ago to fulfil our legal requirement to reduce water pollution from agricultural sources. "I wish to again recognise the hard work farmers and others have undertaken to date to address water quality. "Your statement reiterating that the agri-food sector is fully committed to improving water quality and the sustainability of the environment within which it operates is greatly appreciated." Minister Muir in his letter said that the legally-required NAP review is an "important opportunity to shape the actions we can take together" over the next four years. The current consultation on the NAP 2026-2029 closed on July 24. "I welcome all the responses received, which will be collated and considered in the coming weeks," the minister said. "My department is currently finalising the next steps and the processes for the development of the NAP 2026-2029, and stakeholders will receive information about this in the coming weeks. "In particular, given the level of interest from a range of stakeholders in the NAP, and some of the issues raised to date, I have decided to provide an additional level of engagement within this process and further consultation." In the short-term, once the consultation responses have been analysed, they will be considered by a stakeholder task and finish group with an external facilitator, the minister confirmed. This group will include representatives from farming, agri-food, environmental groups and the department. "It will also be able to consider and bring forward alternative solutions for consideration by working collaboratively," Minister Muir explained. "The group will take into account the proposals consulted upon, the consultation responses to date, and any other potential solutions raised within the group." The group will be asked to propose measures and actions that will meet legislative requirements, are evidence-based and workable at farm level within realistic timeframes, according to the minister. "During this process, consideration will be given to the economic impact of the proposals including the revised proposals and a draft economic impact assessment will be prepared," he said. "The group will provide an additional level of engagement in the policy development process. "When its work is completed, the department will then undertake a further, statutory compliant, eight-week consultation. "This will give wider stakeholders and the public an opportunity to provide views on any updated proposals. "I will take these into account in making my final decision on the updated NAP, which will be referred to the executive committee for consideration." Minister Muir said he acknowledges that some of the proposed measures in the NAP consultation will require investment, and officials within his department will consider how that funding need can be met. He said he is due to meet the Finance Minister to discuss the support that can be provided. The minister also said that in relation to sewage pollution, "I wish to repeat my clear view that agriculture is not the only contributor to what has been happening at Lough Neagh and many other waterbodies across NI". "I have been consistently on the record that the separate regulatory regime with NI Water on wastewater known as SORPI needs to change and I will be bringing proposals to my executive colleagues on the matter over the time ahead," Minister Muir added.
