UFU president William Irvine on his County Armagh farm. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has noted the publication of Baroness Minette Batters’ Farming Profitability Review, a government-commissioned report examining the barriers to farm profitability and the actions needed to strengthen resilience across the wider UK agri-food system. While the report makes only a few references to inheritance tax (IHT) and does not cover it as part of the review’s core remit, Baroness Batters noted that the policy is a ‘major issue’, adding that she has ‘great sympathy’ with farmers who will be affected by it.
UFU president William Irvine said, “While this review is focused on England, the challenges it describes will feel very familiar to many farm families here, rising costs, market volatility and the need for fairer supply chains and clearer long-term policy direction. Northern Ireland’s farmers are productive, innovative and export-facing, but profitability and confidence are being tested.”
The review places strong emphasis on partnership working across industry and government, better use of data and market monitoring, and measures to strengthen supply chain fairness and access to markets, including an explicit recognition that a UK-wide approach is needed in areas like exports and trade, with representation across the devolved administrations.
Mr Irvine added, “The report’s focus on growing demand, improving transparency and ensuring farmers can secure a fair return is the right direction of travel. For Northern Ireland, any work to strengthen domestic sourcing, improve fairness in the supply chain, and open new market opportunities must recognise our unique position, with significant agri-food processing capacity, strong commodity sectors and the importance of maintaining confidence for investment on-farm.”
The UFU will continue to engage with local and national governments and stakeholders to ensure that Northern Ireland farming’s priorities are fully understood in any UK-wide discussions related to competitiveness, trade, food security, and long-term sustainability.
