UFU vegetable committee chair, Trevor Gabbie, UFU deputy president, Clement Lynch and UFU vegetable committee vice-chair, Roy Lyttle.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) hosted DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir MLA on the farm of UFU vegetable committee chair Trevor Gabbie to discuss the key challenges facing Northern Ireland’s horticulture industry.
The meeting, requested by the UFU, provided an opportunity to raise several issues on behalf of commercial growers, including plant protection product availability, the UK-EU SPS negotiations, horticulture pilot schemes, organic production, peat-free growing and the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS).
UFU vegetable committee chair, Trevor Gabbie, said, “This was a valuable opportunity to outline directly to the Minister the challenges facing horticultural growers across Northern Ireland. Our industry continues to face significant pressures, and what we need is clarity, commitment and support.
“We were pleased to secure agreement that DAERA, CAFRE, agrochemical companies and growers will come together to explore practical short-term solutions and funding support to help progress emergency use and off-label applications for plant protection products. That is a positive step, but it is important that momentum is maintained.”
The UFU also highlighted the importance of securing a UK-EU SPS agreement that reduces barriers to the movement of horticultural products and helps address the growing challenges around plant protection product availability.
Mr Gabbie continued, “The long-term availability of plant protection products remains one of the biggest concerns for growers. While a UK-EU SPS agreement has the potential to improve the position, we also need practical solutions urgently that help businesses bridge the gap.”
UFU deputy president, Clement Lynch, thanked the Gabbie family for hosting the visit and said it was important that growers had the opportunity to raise their concerns directly in a setting that reflects the hard work they put in day in, day out.
“Horticulture is a vital part of Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector and the issues facing growers deserve continued attention,” said Mr Lynch.
“The UFU will continue to press for practical solutions that support productive businesses and give growers confidence to invest for the future.”
The meeting also covered the progress of the Horticulture Pilot Schemes, with the UFU noting the encouraging feedback from participating growers.
Mr Gabbie concluded by inviting the Minister and DAERA officials to attend a horticulture industry event in Boston later this year to see innovation and best practice within the sector.
