Latest news with #BalmoralShow
Agriland
20-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Moy Park owner urges UK govt to adopt ‘joined up policy' for NI agri-food sector
Pilgrim's Europe, which is the owner of Moy Park, one of Northern Ireland's (NI) largest businesses, has urged the UK government to adopt a 'joined-up policy approach across environment, rural economy and agriculture'. According to Pilgrim's Europe this is the key to 'fulfilling Northern Ireland's agri-food potential'. Pilgrim's Europe is part of the Colorado headquartered, NASDAQ listed Pilgrim's Pride corporation which last month reported first quarter 2025 results showing $4.5 billion in net sales and an operating income of $404.5 million. It highlighted in its latest set of results that it is focusing on 'efforts to scale profitable growth' in Europe and that it has 'increased traction among consumers for core branded offerings'. According to Justin Coleman, poultry business unit director, Pilgrim's Europe – which counts Moy Park as one of its key brands – the business is 'focused on continually driving higher welfare and sustainability standards through a science-based approach'. Speaking at the Balmoral Show last week he also outlined that through Pilgrim's Europe Moy Park operation it works closely with over 450 Northern Ireland farmers daily and the business supplies 'every major retailer and food service outlet across the UK and Ireland with quality Northern Irish chicken.' Moy Park Moy Park began life in Moygashel in Co. Tyrone in 1943, Pilgrim's acquired Moy Park for $1.3 billion in 2017. The poultry business unit director of Pilgrim's Europe said the business is 'continuing to invest in new ways of doing things, pushing the boundaries of innovation, striving for even higher standards'. But he also warned that 'what industry needs, to continue on this success journey, is for policy support to progress at pace alongside us'. 'Northern Ireland is a powerhouse of agriculture excellence. 'Constructive collaboration across government departments and industry can help unlock the solutions needed across planning, infrastructure and the environment to allow our agrifood industry to thrive and grow in the most sustainable way,' Coleman added.
ITV News
16-05-2025
- General
- ITV News
Belfast Lough 'could be' next Lough Neagh if waste water infrastructure not sorted, warns minister
Stormont's minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural affairs has told UTV that "Belfast Lough, that could become the next Lough Neagh" if waste water infrastructure in Northern Ireland is not sorted. Andrew Muir's comments come as campaigners around Lough Neagh fear a return of blue-green algae amid ongoing high weather temperatures. According to data collected by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology there have been a total of four confirmed reports of the toxic blooms in NI so far this year. A significant drop from the same time scale last year, when official reports of blue-green algae hit 18. In July 2024, the DAERA minister proposed a 37-point action plan to tackle the issue. It was signed off by the executive and contained a number of measures, 21 of which his department could take on immediately but others required cross departmental agreement. The bacteria grows under certain conditions including, warm, shallow, undisturbed, nutrient-rich surface waters that get a lot of sun exposure. The nutrient density is a result of pollution. The minister is currently seeking views on proposals which would see more stringent rules for farmers around slurring spreading - something which those within the agri-sector have said is out of touch and does not take into consideration the actions they have taken to date. Speaking to UTV, Minister Muir said: "If people have other solutions im all ears, no final decision has been made. "Difficult interventions are going to be required to turn the situation around not just Lough Neagh but at many other rivers, lakes and loughs "Research that's been published says that about 62% is due to agriculture in terms of water quality, 24% in terms of waste water, and 12% in relation to septic tanks, and the Nutrients Action Programme seeks to tackle that 62% and I know there are difficult proposals in there, but I've always been clear that we need to face up to difficult decisions." When it was put to the minister that farmers are not in agreement with some of the proposals, he replied: "I have been engaging with farmers during the Balmoral Show and I'll continue to do that as i know thee are challenges in the industry, there are so many issues, and I'm fighting the corner for farmers, where it's about relation to inheritance tax or many other issues and I'll continue to engage with them on this as we need to work together so we can reduce the amount of slurry that's going into our rivers and loughs." The minister added that the consultation around the proposals has now been extended for a further four weeks "to allow more time for farmers to respond" and "present any alternative solutions, no final decisions have been made.' In relation to the 24% caused by sewage pollution, Mr Muir said "it's a real concern for me". "We're standing here on the shores of Belfast Lough, that could become the next Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland if we don't sort out the situation with regards waste water infrastructure. "That responsibility for investment sits with another minister, but enforcement and regulation sits with me and I'm seeking to take much tighter approach around that." In a statement, NI Water told UTV: 'Whilst NI Water is not the biggest contributor to pollution, it fully recognises that it does not achieve the environmental standards it would like to, but doing so requires sustained investment and, unfortunately, that level of investment has not been available. "That is why NI Water would welcome an agreed, cross departmental transition plan to achieve the improved environmental performance we aspire to.'
Agriland
16-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
AgriSearch to seek a doubling of its levy rates
AgriSearch is to seek a doubling of the farmer levies that fund the organisation, with the process to make this happen now underway. Details of the increase to the levies were discussed at a breakfast for farming stakeholders hosted by AgriSearch at this year's Balmoral Show. AgriSearch, established in 1997, provides a vehicle through which beef, dairy and sheep farmers in Northern Ireland could have a direct involvement in production-orientated research. The levy system currently generates a total funding stream of just over £400,000 for the organisation. Total funding generated over the past 28 years has amounted to some £10 million. This, in turn, has been used to pump prime research projects with a total value of £70 million. Levies AgriSearch general manager, Jason Rankin, outlined the reasoning behind the levy increase. He said: 'Our levies have remained unchanged for many years. In the meantime, the scope of the organisation has increased dramatically. 'What started out as one-man operation now comprises a management team of nine people. 'In tandem with this, our research outreach has increased in a corresponding manner.' Rankin also spoke of the organisation's goals for the future that will require additional resources. 'We have plans to further expand the scope of AgriSearch significantly during the periods ahead. Making this happen will require greater levels of funding,' he said. The AgriSearch representative recognises the need to get buy-in from all relevant stakeholder groups to secure the envisaged increase in levy rates. 'This is a process that may take up to a year to complete. But Balmoral Show was the obvious starting point.' AgriSearch recently launhced its new five-year strategy. It is centred around equipping farmers to face future challenges and placing producers' needs at the heart of research and innovation in Northern Ireland. Rankin said: 'Farmers continue to experience unprecedented challenges. AgriSearch has a crucial role to play in helping Northern Ireland farmers to succeed in economic, environmental and indeed social growth. 'This new statement of strategy has been developed by the AgriSearch Trustees to ensure that we continue to deliver for our farmer levy payers.' AgriSearch research funding The past 28 years have seen AgriSearch support funding 25 PhD scholarships. Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the organisation's landmark GrassCheck service. On average it costs £135,000 to fund a PhD research student. Looking ahead, AgriSearch will be actively seeking ways to ensure that the knowledge amassed courtesy of this work can be better made available to farmers. One way of achieving this would be for graduate students to commit an additional year with AgriSearch, post the completion of their doctorate, during which time they would actively communicate the significance of their research work with farming organisations and groups.
Agriland
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Agriland
Farmers' concerns prompt extension to consultation in NI on NAP
The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, Andrew Muir, today (Friday, May 16) confirmed that he intends to extend the public consultation period on the proposed Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) for 2026 to 2029. The consultation on the updated and revised NAP, which was launched on May 1, is now being extended to 12 weeks and will close for responses on July 24. Minister Muir said: 'I recognise that the proposals in the revised NAP have a level of complexity because of the detailed science and evidence underpinning them. 'Therefore, having listened to the concerns from farmers and industry about the need for more time to consider the consultation proposals, I am extending the consultation period by four weeks. 'I would encourage everyone to fully consider the proposals and engage with the consultation.' NAP According to Minister Muir the proposed NAP for 2026 to 2029, 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 farm. There are also some actions included within the Lough Neagh Action Plan, which he said 'will help to meet the objective of reducing water pollution from agricultural sources'. But the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has also warned that the new NAP proposals could 'devastate local farming'. According to the UFU the new proposals could impact on thousands of farmers across Northern Ireland and result in many having to find more land for slurry spreading or cut their livestock numbers. It has claimed the move is a 'backdoor attempt to shrink herds and flocks'. Today Minister Muir said the extended consultation 'is an important opportunity to respond to the proposals and present any alternative solutions, no final decisions have been made.' 'I am passionately committed to working with farmers and the agri-food sector to achieve a strong and sustainable future together,' he added. Balmoral Show Including the extension to the NAP consultation Minister Muir also announced his intention this week to roll out the first phase of a Farming with Nature Package (FwN) for Northern Ireland at the Balmoral Show. The FwN Package aims to support farm businesses across all land types, to make 'substantial contributions to environmental improvements and sustainability'. Minister Muir said: 'My ambition for the FwN Package is to scale up nature friendly farming. I want to see farmers being rewarded for delivering environmental public goods, alongside food production, with the FwN Package becoming a strong and attractive enterprise on farms. 'It will be introduced in phases to support farmers to turn the tide on biodiversity loss by increasing the quantity, quality and connectivity of habitats in the farmed landscape.' In the first year, five actions will be available, with a range of items to support their implementation: Planting new hedgerow; Creation of riparian buffer strips; Farmland tree planting; Retention of winter stubble; Multi-species winter cover crop. Separately the minister also announced at the Balmoral Show that Northern Ireland's Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) will open for the fourth and final time in June this year. Farmers in Zone 4 (Co. Antrim) and all other farm businesses, that have not yet registered are invited to apply. According to Minister Muir there has been good uptake in Zones 1, 2 and 3, with over 90% of farms registered and over 400,000 fields tested for soil nutrients.
Belfast Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Balmoral Show draws farmers from across NI but recent challenges have left the future generation asking: ‘What's the point?'
The Balmoral Show may provide a brief chance to relax for Northern Ireland's farmers, but despite the sun and smiles, many are concerned about what the future holds for the next generation. As Northern Ireland's biggest agricultural show reached its halfway point, looming problems mean the younger cohort of agriculturalists are asking: 'What's the point?' That's the view of part-time beef farmer Cara Millar (23), who sees what was once regarded as a family job handed down from one generation to the next as more of a hobby, partly due to its 'unpredictable' nature. The Co Antrim woman is instead pursuing a career in the agri-food sector where she can explore different aspects of the industry. 'Farming is probably just really a hobby for me,' Cara said. 'Our farm at home is not really big enough to be sustainable for that to be just your own business. I work at Dunbia and I'm on the graduate programme in the technical team. But because it's a graduate programme, I'll hopefully get moving about and see different areas of the business.' Following the Labour Government's announcement of changes to inheritance tax, up to half of farms here could be impacted by the new levy, according to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Cara said the levy has left younger farmers questioning the future of the industry. She added: 'I would say a lot of people could be put off by that because people are thinking, 'What's the point?' "There's going to be nobody coming behind that's going to be able to take this on because nobody's going to be able to afford it. So, it's kind of a scary time for big farms.' However, the Coleraine farmer said that 'dairy farming is completely different because the milk prices are so good' – a point Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) Dairy Chair Cyril Millar agrees with. Mr Millar explained how recent good weather has seen animals performing well and producing a lot of milk. The Co Antrim farmer said: 'Grass quality is a big issue in any of the rumen animal production. The better the grass, the better the animal performs. And because the grass is so nice and dry and palatable for the cows, they're performing well, which is excellent. 'You want your animals to do well, you want them to thrive well. Cows are very happy, they go out and they lie in the sun, they're enjoying this good weather just the same as we are.' However, Mr Millar also shared Cara's concerns over inheritance tax changes set to take effect in April 2026. From then, inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1 million, which were previously exempt, will have to pay inheritance tax at 20%. Mr Millar fears the changes could seriously impact the sustainability of the trade for the younger generations. He said: 'In my own case at home, when you bring a son home and he needs a house, and his kids need shoes and they need clothes, you have to be able to make enough money to provide that. 'Any business, you have to have a certain throughput, a certain income to be able to bring the next generation in. Any business that doesn't bring the next generation in is doomed.' As Balmoral celebrates its 156th year, the show remains critical to ensuring the agricultural community continues to foster relationships, says UFU Deputy President John McLenaghan. 'Balmoral's always a great opportunity for the industry to show itself at its best,' Mr McLenaghan said. 'Farmers like to get and like to socialise. They like to go out and meet people that they haven't met for a while, very often at Balmoral. It's a great process.' Among the trade shows and hundreds of stalls this year are interactive games and activities designed to appeal to younger visitors. Despite the lively atmosphere and family fun, Mr McLenaghan admitted the 'looming issue' of inheritance tax remains. He said: 'I know it's a very big issue at the moment. And speaking to farmers today, it really reflects how detrimental it could be, not just to them, but to the younger generations. 'And while it is so great to see children here being encouraged by the show and giving them a bit of spark, there is this looming sort of issue.' While the levy is a devolved issue and remains out of Stormont's hands, Mr McLenaghan affirmed that the UFU will continue to apply pressure to Westminster to address the 'harsh realities'. DUP MP Carla Lockhart told this newspaper she will 'keep making the message clear' and continue to challenge Whitehall for change.
