Young Farmers’ Payment appeals, flooding and import tariffs on eggs post-Brexit

Ms Catherine Kelly (Sinn Fein, West Tyrone) had asked the minister to to detail the process of appeal for young people applying for the Young Farmers’ Payment of Single Basic Payment Scheme.

Mr Poots answered replied: “An applicant for the Young Farmers’ Payment is informed in writing if their application is unsuccessful. If the applicant considers the decision is incorrect they can request a review of the decision, within 60 days, under the department’s review process.

“A case officer will be assigned to review the decision and any supporting evidence provided. The case officer’s assessment is a transparent process in which the applicant will be given the opportunity to consider a preliminary case report on the case officers findings.

“The applicant can then supply additional evidence or comments before a final decision is made.”

Mr Poots continued: “If the applicant is unsatisfied with the outcome of the case officer’s assessment, they have the option to have the decision reviewed by an independent panel who will make a recommendation to the department.

“The department considers this recommendation carefully before making the final decision on the review.

“If the department’s original decision is overturned the £200 fee is reimbursed to the applicant.”

Mr Poots concluded: “The purpose of the young farmer interview is to assess whether or not the applicant is exercising effective and long-term control over the business in terms of decisions related to management, benefits and financial risks in relation to the business.

“The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate at interview that they meet these criteria through the examples they provide.

“Applicants who fail to provide this detail will be informed that they have not demonstrated to the department’s technical panel that they are exercising effective and long-term control over the business.”

Mr Gary Middleton (DUP, Foyle) asked the minister what financial support his department had provided to businesses following the flooding in Londonderry in August 2017.
The minister replied: “In terms of financial assistance following the flooding in the north west in 2017, DAERA took steps to make enhanced advance CAP payments at a rate of 70% to help to alleviate cash flow issues experienced by farmers.

“In addition, the department approved force majeure declarations on affected farmland which had been submitted for Basic Payment Scheme support at the time, thus ensuring no reduction in those payments due to flood damage.”

Mr Poots continued: “The department has since provided £0.5 million of funding to the Loughs Agency to carry out remedial riparian fencing works in the worst affected areas.

“That repair work commenced in November 2019 and is ongoing. Under its statutory conservation and protection remit, the Loughs Agency continues to undertake work in the affected areas.”

The minister concluded: “Under the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS), 41 farm businesses along the Glenelly and Owenkillew rivers are being supported to protect 19,600m of watercourses with fencing and riparian margins, with funding totalling £118k.

“The department has also provided a range of advisory and practical support to farmers in the areas affected and has met with local stakeholders in Plumbridge to discuss community needs.”

Ms Clare Bailey (Greens, South Belfast) had asked the minister, in light of the government’s decision not to impose import tariffs on eggs and egg products post-Brexit, to outline what measures he will take to ensure that current legislation will be safeguarded and the economic welfare of local producers protected.

Mr Poots replied: “The decision not to impose import tariffs on eggs and egg products post-Brexit was part of the UK government’s tariff policy for application in the event of a No-Deal exit from the EU.

“Now that the Withdrawal Agreement has been reached, the UK Ggvernment is consulting on a new tariff policy, to apply after the end of the transition period, to imports from all countries which do not have a Free Trade Agreement with the UK.

“It is important that this tariff policy and the negotiation of the future trading relationship between the UK and the EU and other countries take account of the needs of the egg sector.”

Mr Poots concluded: “In particular, I will be emphasising: the need to maintain high welfare and environmental standards within the UK; that imports into the UK meet these standards, and that the competiveness of the egg sector is maintained.”

Mr George Robinson MBE (DUP, Londonderry East) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline what plans his Department has for maintaining and extending coastal defences.

The minister answered: “The recent storms have reminded us again of the devastating effect that coastal erosion and flooding can have on vulnerable communities and infrastructure.

“Indeed, climate change risk assessments have identified that coastal erosion may be exacerbated by rising sea levels, higher wave heights and more extreme storm surge events.

There is currently no legislation in relation to coastal erosion risk management in Northern Ireland and coastal defence is governed by the Bateman formula dating from 1967.”

Mr Poots continued: “While my department is responsible for licensing the construction of coastal defences under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and the provision of conservation advice, it does not have any specific responsibility for the maintenance or extension of coastal defences.

“It must be noted that coastal change is a natural process, so it is going to continue. Coastal defences can prevent the natural adjustment of coastal systems to rising sea levels whereas natural coastal habitats such as saltmarsh provide protection from coastal flooding and storm surges.

“It is widely accepted that the Bateman formula is no longer fit for purpose and the Coastal Forum has provided an excellent opportunity to develop a collaborative approach to resolving this issue.

“Through this mechanism my department is collaborating with DfI, local councils and the National Trust to improve the evidence base for coastal management decision making, which will inform the development of future policy options.”

The minister concluded: “I look forward to having the opportunity to consider recommendations from the Coastal Forum with my Executive colleagues.”

Mr Thomas Buchanan (DUP, West Tyrone) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what plans he has to help farmers with reseeding, improving soil structure and grassland management.

Mr Poots remarked: “My department’s College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) provides a range of knowledge transfer programmes to help farmers and those who work in the land-based industries develop new technical and practical skills.

“There are currently over 2700 farmers in 143 Business Development Groups (BDGs) across all agriculture sectors.

“Reseeding, improving soil management and grassland management are key topics addressed through peer learning at these training events.

“Technical training in topics, such as soil and grassland management, are also delivered through the Farm Family Key Skills Scheme (FFKS), Farm Innovation Visits (FIVs) and Technology Demonstration Farms (TDFs).

“Both FIVs and TDFs provide farmers with the opportunity to learn about new and innovative technologies in the EU, UK and Northern Ireland.”

Mr Poots continued: “Grassland management is also embedded in the various further and higher agriculture education courses delivered by CAFRE on which 630 students are currently enrolled.

“Many of these students return to their home farms on completion of their qualification where they can apply the knowledge and skills gained.

“CAFRE also have a suite of online decision programmes to assist farmers in grassland management by improving soil fertility, grass and crop yields - making savings on chemical fertiliser whilst improving water quality. There have been over 10,000 users of these programmes since 2015.”

Mr Poots concluded: “CAFRE also plans to assist farmers by demonstrating to the farming industry new soil and grassland technologies on the CAFRE farm to encourage adoption of innovative practices.”