UFU submits Nutrients Action Programme response

The response reflects extensive engagement with UFU policy committees, member webinars, the Environment Committee and farmers from across all sectors of Northern Ireland agriculture.

UFU President John McLenaghan said the Union had worked hard throughout the review process to secure a more practical outcome for farmers while recognising the need to improve water quality, adding: “The UFU recognises that agriculture has a role to play in improving water quality and protecting the environment. However, any measures introduced must be practical, proportionate and economically sustainable for farm businesses. The proposals currently out for consultation are considerably more workable than those originally presented by DAERA in 2025. That improvement is a direct result of significant engagement between industry stakeholders and the Department through the Task and Finish Group process. While the UFU has secured several important improvements, implementation must be backed by adequate funding, practical support, realistic transition periods and real practical and meaningful progress on planning reform if these measures are to succeed.” Significantly, the UFU response highlights continued concerns around planning restrictions, the cost of compliance, the impact of revised dairy cow nitrogen excretion figures and the need for further support to help farmers adapt to future requirements. It also calls for an urgent second round of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme and greater investment in technologies that can help improve nutrient efficiency and water quality. John McLenaghan again: “Northern Ireland farmers have been operating under the Nitrates Action Programme and subsequent Nutrients Action Programme regulations for more than 20 years. During that time, farmers have demonstrated a willingness to engage, adapt and invest in measures designed to improve water quality.

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“The farming community has accepted its responsibilities and has played its part. That contribution must be recognised.

“Agriculture will play its part over the next four years but, equally, there must be a commitment to properly assess and acknowledge the role of all other sectors.

“If, at the end of this NAP period, water quality objectives are not being achieved, it cannot simply be assumed that additional regulation for farmers is the answer.

He concluded: “DAERA must be prepared to examine the contribution from wastewater treatment works, sewer overflows, septic tanks and urban runoff and ensure responsibility is shared fairly across society.

“Northern Ireland will only achieve meaningful improvements in water quality if all sources of pollution are addressed.”

AgriSearch has also submitted its recommendations to the NAP consultation.

The organisation’s chairman Norman McMordie said the stakeholder process used to develop the revised proposals had been valuable, but that engagement must continue.

He further explained: “The revised proposals have benefited from farmers, industry, scientists and government working through some very difficult issues together.

“That does not mean all of the concerns have been resolved. The same partnership approach will be needed through implementation and review so that practical problems can be identified early and addressed.”

A major theme of the AgriSearch response is the need for a managed transition. AgriSearch believes farmers should have enough time to establish their starting position, understand how the different requirements affect their business and consider their options before making significant management or investment decisions.

AgriSearch has also highlighted the scale of the advisory challenge. Many affected farms are likely to need individual support rather than generic guidance.

Chief Executive Sean Kane said: “For many farmers, the implications of these proposals will need to be carefully considered using their own farm figures. That means understanding their nitrogen position, phosphorus balance and the practical options available to them.

“A successful transition will depend on farmers having clear information, straightforward nutrient-management tools and access to suitably qualified advisers who can help them make informed decisions.”

The AgriSerach response also points out that the full Economic Impact Assessment should be published as soon as possible and that implementation must take account of constraints outside NAP itself, including planning, ammonia policy and the availability of workable manure-processing and nutrient-redistribution options.

Research and innovation are another major focus. AgriSearch says regulation alone will not provide farmers with the solutions required to improve nutrient efficiency.

Senior Industry Advisor Jason Rankin said: “We need to concentrate not only on the limits being placed on nutrients, but on giving farmers practical ways of using nutrients more efficiently.

“That means research into nutrition, soils, grassland management, slurry and manure processing and emerging technologies, and then testing the most promising approaches on commercial farms so we know what actually works in Northern Ireland.”