Sinn Féin MPs meet Ulster Farmers' Union to discuss key challenges facing farming sector
Sinn Féin MPs Cathal Mallaghan MP and Órfhlaith Begley MP have met with representatives of the Ulster Farmers’ Union at Westminster to discuss the key challenges facing farmers and rural communities across the North.
The meeting covered a range of issues affecting the agricultural sector, including proposed changes to inheritance tax for family farms, the ongoing challenges posed by bovine TB, the Nutrients Action Programme, Brazilian beef imports and concerns around the proposed Mercosur trade agreement.
Speaking after the meeting, Cathal Mallaghan MP said: “Farmers and rural families are facing increasing pressures and it is vital that their voices are heard in decision making processes which impact their livelihoods and local communities.
“Among the topics discussed were inheritance tax changes for family farms, ongoing challenges associated with bovine TB and the Nutrients Action Programme.
“We also discussed the proposed Mercosur trade agreement and the concerns many farmers have about the potential impact of increased imports on local producers.
“Sinn Féin will continue to engage constructively with the farming sector and advocate for policies that protect family farms and support the long-term sustainability of agriculture.”
Órfhlaith Begley MP highlighted particular concerns raised during the meeting around the potential impact of Brazilian beef imports on local farmers and the wider agricultural market.
Órfhlaith Begley MP said: “A key concern raised was the impact of Brazilian beef imports. The EU has suspended Brazilian meat imports over concerns around antimicrobial compliance and regulatory assurances, yet the British Government has failed to take the same precautionary approach.
“This could see Brazilian beef displaced from the EU market into Britain, placing further pressure on beef prices and farmers in the north, whose main market is Britain.“Our farmers produce to exceptionally high standards and should not be expected to compete with imports produced under different standards.
“Farmers here deserve a level playing field. We cannot ask our family farms to meet the highest standards while allowing imports that may not meet equivalent requirements to enter the market.
“I will continue to press the British Government to protect our farmers, support food security and ensure that trade policy does not leave farmers in the North at a competitive disadvantage.”