'Growing disconnect between farming families and the government policies that affect them' - Diana Armstrong
The Slurry Live 2026 event at the Eikon exposed a growing disconnect between farming families and the government policies that affect them, UUP MLA Diana Armstrong said.
The AERA Chairperson said that ‘yet again we had a week of excellent weather and ground conditions that farmers couldn't make use of’.
"That is the reality of farming by the calendar, and it is exactly why policy must reflect the realities on the ground,” she added.
"Concerns raised were consistent and heartfelt.
"There was unanimous opposition from everyone who spoke on individual carbon audits, voluntary or otherwise, and disbelief that anyone would add more bureaucracy”.
The UUP veteran added that “there is also real worry that the Minister and his department will push through the NAP without considering the economic consequences, and significant concern about compulsory data capture”.
"Government departments have a poor record of protecting confidential data.
"Farming families should be treated as trusted partners, and a tick-box should suffice.
"If farm support is sourced from the Westminster Block Grant, it is morally and fundamentally flawed to target farming families with discriminatory and disproportionate regulation when no such enforcement is demanded of others funded by the same grant, such as nurses' salaries, welfare benefits or civil service pensions.
"History shows that voluntary engagement in initiatives that deliver wins for everyone works.
"Let's give farmers voluntary options to choose the measures that best suit their business model”.
Ms Armstrong added: “We are repeatedly told that every government department needs investment.
"Yet while the Westminster Block Grant has grown by 75% over ten years, successive Agriculture Ministers have secured zero growth in support for the industry's biggest asset, its farming families, when 2026 Sustainable Payments are compared with 2016 farm payments”.
Dairy, beef and sheep farmers at the event also voiced frustration at DAERA's "rob Peter to pay Paul" approach, which creates friction between sectors.
Ms Armstrong said “additional funding must be found rather than pitting sectors against each other:
"The sheep sector has received no support to this day,” she said. “Support can be argued for ANC areas, both DA and SDA, but an equally strong case can be made for cereals given poor returns.
“If proposed legislation is poor or badly thought through, it is better to reform it now than repeal it later.
"The Climate Change Act debacle has shown that. Northern Ireland prides itself on innovation.
"Harry Ferguson's three-point linkage set a standard the world still follows. Companies working on nutrient management, such as separation technology, clearly want to be global pioneers.
"It is disappointing that, despite all the noise from Government about improving nutrient management, there seems little willingness to engage with cutting-edge technology here that can make a difference. It appears the future of this technology lies in fields far from home.
"Farming families made it clear that, as the true custodians of the countryside, they are willing to play their part, lead the discussion and drive policy.
"Their main concern is whether the Minister and Government advisors will listen before it is too late.
"We wouldn't expect to improve health without listening to patients and reviewing outcomes, or education while ignoring how policies affect results.
"If we want to protect food security and preserve our environment, we cannot ignore those who know best.
"Thankfully, farming families remain willing to take ownership and drive the improvements the sector needs," she added.