Call for a significant increase in Northern Ireland’s farm support budget

Speaking after a recent meeting that involved Ulster Unionist Party representatives and the Secretary of State, she confirmed that additional public monies will be required as agriculture invests in its future.

Armstrong added: “The farm sustainability budget has been capped at £330M for the past decade. And this is another funding issue that must be addressed.

“But looking ahead, a number of key issues must be addressed if food output increases and an improvement in Northern Ireland’s environmental standards are to be addressed.

“These include the issue of Lough Neagh, improving water quality across the board and tackling the scourge of bovine tuberculosis.

“An additional budget will also be required to fund an Areas of Natural Constraint Bill, should it get Assembly and Executive consent.”

Significantly, the agriculture committee chairman sees the combined issues of slurry separation, an enhanced commitment to anaerobic digestion and the production of bio methane as being part of a circular economy.

She commented; “Tackling the slurry problem at source can represent a win: win scenario for farmers and for society as a whole.

“It is an excellent example of the circular economy in action. But getting us there will require a significant level of investment by both the private and public sectors.”

Turning to the issue of Northern Ireland’s amended Nutrients Action Programme (NAP), Armstrong indicated that farm minister, Andrew Muir, should be reporting back to Stormont on the matter before Christmas.

She further explained: “The public consultation on NAP has just been completed. We already know that the Office of Environmental Protection has communicated with the farm minister on this issue.

“So we await to hear his views on how the NAP matter can be brought forward, either before Christmas or in early 2027.”

The Ulster Unionist MLA believes that the co-design process used to amend the original NAP proposals represent a blueprint that can be applied to tackle all of the key challenges facing agriculture in Northern Ireland at the present time.

She said: “Bringing all the relevant stakeholders together from the outset represents a very intuitive way of addressing any issue.

“And the clock is ticking. Matters such as Lough Neagh, food security and bovine tuberculosis must be addressed as a matter of priority.

“At the heart of all this is the need to further boost the level of food output achieved here in Northern Ireland.

“This feeds into the overall food security debate, now taking place across the UK and Europe.”

Armstrong continued: “Increases in food output must be achieved on a wholly sustainable basis. And farmers are the people who best know the environment they are working in.”

The current agriculture committee at Stormont continues in place until March 2027. After that, elections beckon.

Diana Armstrong again: “Post the election, a new farm minister will decide which priorities he or she wants to run with.

“But the fundamental reality remains to the effect that agriculture in Northern Ireland needs a stronger support budget.

“This may not happen in 2025/26. However, after that point it becomes an issue of priority for the entire farming and food sector.”