Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer has encouraged people to have their say on his consultation on reinstating Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payments for farmers and put them on a statutory footing through the implementation of his Private Members’ Bill.

The party’s agriculture spokesperson said: “I am encouraging people to have their say on my Private Members' Bill which seeks to reinstate ANC payments and put them on a statutory footing.

“Having spoken to many farmers over the past number of years there is a real desire and need for these payments to be reinstated and for farmers who live in ANC areas are struggling to keep their farms viable.

“Farmers in ANC areas have always had to deal with unique challenges when farming in disadvantaged areas, this coupled with wider challenges such as rising fuel and fertiliser costs has made it very difficult for ANC farmers to stay viable.

“The ANC scheme was hugely important in supporting productivity in severely disadvantaged areas, in some cases being a major proportion of the farm income.

“This is why I am bringing forward a Private Members’ Bill calling for the reinstatement of this vital funding.”

McAleer encourages people to have their say on reinstating ANC payments