UFU says the budget must protect farming's future

The letter emphasises the importance of ensuring a stable and sustainable future for the agricultural sector in Northern Ireland as final decisions are taken about the details of next week’s budget.

UFU president William Irvine stressed that any reduction in the agriculture budget or changes to APR could have “serious consequences” for family farms.

“We are facing rising production costs and low returns, unpredictable weather events and ongoing uncertainty around the agricultural transition policies,” he stated.

“Farmers need to be adequately supported to sustain viable businesses. Any reduction in the agriculture budget or changes to APR would put the future of many farm families at risk and undermine national food security.”

Mr Irvine warned that budget cuts, combined with a potential review of APR, would directly threaten the livelihoods of farmers.

The UFU president said this would hit farm families in NI badly as they rely heavily on agricultural relief to pass down their farms to future generations.

“APR is a lifeline for family farms. Any changes to it would be tantamount to introducing a tax on family farms,” he said.

The UFU is calling for a renewed, multi-year agricultural budget.

“This is essential to deliver the government’s environmental goals, driving economic growth, and ensuring the sustainability of farm businesses across the UK,” Mr Irvine continued.

“A stable budget is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Our farmers need certainty to continue producing high-quality food while contributing to the environmental targets central to the government’s vision for growth and prosperity.

“With 670,000 people living in rural Northern Ireland, and the agri-food sector the backbone of the local economy, government cannot dismiss the social and economic importance of farmers,” added the UFU president.