UK Government

UFU President John McLenaghan

Inheritance tax measures are putting the very future of farming at risk

Budget back farming qrcode

UFU launches its pre-Budget campaign, calling for a ‘A Budget to Back Farming’

(l-r) Raymond Gormley, Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, Fiona Magee, Advice NI, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Nicole Lappin, Chair NIHE and David Blevings, Northern Ireland Oil Federation

340,000 households to be eligible for £100 oil support payment

Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Stephen Morgan, pictured with Kellie McEvoy discussing beef imports.

Pressure on the UK Government to introduce restrictions on Brazilian beef

Ulster Orchestra

Enjoy More for Less This Summer at Mid Ulster Council Venues

The land-based sector adds £2.5 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) and supports 452,900 jobs, often in rural and remote areas.

Ad Feature Failure to invest in agricultural training risks UK food security

John McLenaghan, UFU president. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

UFU welcomes moves at Westminster to reduce fuel price pressure

UFU president John McLenaghan has welcomed the cut in fuel duty

Duty rate on red diesel to be reduced from 10.18p per litre to 6.48p

Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to the CAAV

Prioritise fuel for food and prepare for 2027 shortages, warns CAAV

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly

£50m to help firms enter defence supply chain in Northern Ireland

William Irvine

UFU outlines 5 immediate asks of UK Government to support farm input costs

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly speaking during a press conference at Stormont Castle in Belfast following a meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive. Picture date: Thursday April 16, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Northern Ireland leaders call for meeting with Keir Starmer over budget

(left to right) Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Finance Minister John O'Dowd during a press conference at Stormont Castle in Belfast following a meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive. Picture date: Thursday April 16, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Northern Ireland Executive agrees additional £19.2m to help with fuel costs

Alliance MLA John Blair

“Alliance recognises that farmers are struggling with the increased costs"

Carla Lockhart MP during a meeting in Westminster with Caitlin Delaney and Declan Pang from the Road Haulage Association.

"The people who keep this country moving are being pushed to breaking point"

Ballygowan farmer Sam Hanna, with his dog Roy, on Sydenham by-pass in Belfast, as the National Fuel Protest against rising fuel prices continues. Picture date: Tuesday April 14, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

PICTURES: The rising price of fuel as “final nail in the coffin”
Ballygowan farmer Sam Hanna was joined by his border collie Roy in the cab of one of the lead tractors in the protest on the Sydenham bypass in Belfast, and he said the protest “isn’t about farmers”.
Gemma Murray

Users answer a short set of questions about their business and receive a step-by-step roadmap.

Ad Feature Free tool helps small firms cut energy bills and go green

Ian Stevenson, Chief Executive, Dairy Council for Northern Ireland.

Food and energy security will be long term political and economic priorities

Carla Lockhart MP (Upper Bann, Democratic Unionist Party)

"Step up now, back the industries that hold this country together"

Carla Lockhart MP (Upper Bann, Democratic Unionist Party)

MP Carla Lockhart welcomes UK Government financial support on fuel costs in NI

Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets UUP MLA Steve Aiken, UUP MLA John Stewart, Jon Burrows, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and Chief Executive of the UUP Jayne Murray as he hosts Bilateral meetings. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

UUP hold 'frank and constructive meeting’ with Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Following a period of relative stability over the last 12 months, petrol has fallen to 124.2p per litre this week. Diesel remains unchanged at 131.9p. Picture: AdobeStock

Petrol prices in Northern Ireland hit five-year low says Consumer Council

A public consultation has been seeking views on vet reformed legislation.

Consultation runs for eight weeks and seeks input from across veterinary team

A public consultation has been seeking views on vet reformed legislation.

Consultation runs for eight weeks and seeks input from across veterinary team

Laying hens and lambs will benefit from better animal welfare standards under detailed plans set out by the Government today (January 12th). Picture: Cliff Donaldson

New proposals to minimise pain during lamb castration and tail docking

UFU President William Irvine

A testing year like few others: UFU president

Robbie Butler

Deal could severely disadvantage Northern Ireland’s farmers - Butler
As EU member states prepare to decide on the Mercosur trade agreement, Agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA has warned that the deal could severely disadvantage Northern Ireland’s farmers, with large-scale beef imports threatening prices and standards due to trading arrangements.
By The Newsroom

Inheritance tax remains the headline issue. (Picture: Cliff Donaldson)

Budget offers no relief for farm families

More than 325,000 SMEs in the engineering and manufacturing sectors are the backbone of the UK economy.

Ad Feature Policy centre to "future-proof" British manufacturing and engineering

Robin Swann MP (South Antrim, Ulster Unionist Party)

DAERA Minister urged to bring forward legislation on bTB vaccine use

Dua Lipa is among the names urging the UK government to honour their manifesto promise of cracking down on ticket touts.

UK musicians urge Government to honour ticket touting crackdown

Robin Swann MP (South Antrim, Ulster Unionist Party)

NI farmers left behind on bTB vaccine - Swann

From 1 January 2026, veterinary medicines will require separate authorisations for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Call for veterinary medicines to be reinstated in framework as matter of urgency

UFU president William Irvine. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

UFU to fight on as no changes made to inheritance tax measures

NIVA have responded to the new schemes

NIVA says it broadly supports this work by the UK Government

Silage season is underway across Northern Ireland as farmers and contractors prepare for the arduous task of filling up the empty silo pits.

'Unnecessary and costly' EU requirements imposed on movement of used machinery

Robbie Butler

Butler highlights need for clear, practical guidance and firm guarantees

Go Succeed to showcase business support at Balmoral Show. Pictured L-R: Group Operations Director at Eikon Exhibition Centre and Balmoral Show Rhonda Geary, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Alderman Amanda Grehan, and Cachi Foods Owner James Kielt.

Go Succeed to showcase business support at Balmoral Show

Robbie Butler

NI's farming sector must not be overlooked in any new policy frameworks

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Action plan sets out how all four UK Governments will work with farmers

Mr Gildernew also highlighted previous cuts by Labour since taking up office, including the winter fuel payment for pensioners. (Pic: stock image)

‘Planned cuts to welfare are an attack on the most vulnerable’ - Gildernew

Green Growth Awards announces winners

stock image

Minister remains ‘very concerned’ over impact of UK Immigration Policy changes

Robin Swann MP and BVA Junior Vice President Rob Williams

Supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland is crucial - Swann

Dee Ward. (Pic: Freelance)

UK Government's tax plans ignore Scotland's farming structure

MP Robin Swann

Swann urges Chancellor to meet with the UK farming unions

MLA Patsy McGlone

Mr McGlone said the concerns of family farms should be recognised

All electric future (photo: Adobe)

Going Green: Accelerating towards a petrol-free future!

MP Robin Swann spoke during Monday night's debate in Westminster

Robin Swann highlights farmers' concerns at Westminster debate

MP Robin Swann spoke during Monday night's debate in Westminster

Robin Swann highlights farmers' concerns at Westminster debate

SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone. (Pic: Freelance)

Farms need certainty over funding - McGlone

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Mushroom farmers face crippling labour costs

Carla Lockhart

Suspension of growth deal is a blow to local economy

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Chat-Tea train on track in connecting older people

Stephen Hamilton and Ron Whitten, Henderson Group, with Easton Boyd and Ailsa Wilkins from bp at one of the first of the new bp pulse electric vehicle charging points to be installed.

Henderson Group launches pilot scheme to reduce carbon emissions

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