The Ulster Farmers’ Union environmental policy committee continues to have a packed agenda and is actively engaged on a number of fronts representing the views of Northern Ireland farmers on environmental issues.
The current Chairman of the Committee is Ian Buchanan from Dungiven and vice Chairman Andrew Wright from Omagh.
Some of the main issues being discussed at UFU environment committee meetings currently are:
Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) Review
The UFU are currently represented on the NAP Stakeholder Task and Finish Group which has been established by DAERA to revise the 2026-29 NAP proposals following consultation feedback. Led by independent facilitator Karen Brosnan, it includes farming, agri-food, and environmental representatives aimed at developing workable, evidence-based water quality measures. The group will report to the Minister who is then expected to launch a further public consultation on revised measures.
Ammonia strategy and planning operational protocol
The UFU continue to engage with a team of experts to find a way forward on this complex issue. Planning issues (and IPPC permits) linked to ammonia emissions remain a very significant problem. The concerns and frustrations of farmers around this issue have been consistently highlighted to DAERA Minister Muir and the need for a sensible way forward, particularly around replacement buildings. Farmers do need to be cautious when planning any development linked to livestock /poultry/ slurry and should seek advice on planning permission regardless of the scale of the project before any work starts.
Farming with Nature
As DAERA seeks to develop the ‘Farming with Nature’ agri-environment scheme, the UFU has been meeting DAERA regularly for discussion and updates. A second tranche of the Farming with Nature Transition scheme is expected to be rolled out in the coming months. Farmers who applied to FwNTS in 2025 are reminded to make a claim before the claims deadline of 5pm on 31 March.
Soil Health Nutrient Scheme
The committee are monitoring the role out of this scheme which aims to analyse soils across all farms in NI over four years. The UFU are represented on the Soils Scheme Liaison Group and are feeding back members’ views and experiences of the scheme. Farmers are encouraged to make the UFU aware of their views on the scheme so that the Union can raise with DAERA and AFBI, and any issues can be addressed. Any farmer who did not register for the SNHS should contact the UFU for further advice
Climate Change
Last year the UFU responded to the draft Climate Action Plan launched by DAERA for the period 2023-2027. UFU continues to highlight concerns around the flawed unachievable targets within the Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 and the need for changes to these and have been raising this with MLAs.
Environmental issues now dominate the agricultural agenda, and it is vital that the voice of local farmers is heard. The UFU environment committee has placed a significant emphasis on highlighting the positive work and actions that farmers are already taking to maintain and improve the local environment. The committee will also continue to actively lobby DAERA, NIEA and MLAs and other stakeholders on environmental issues, highlighting the views of our members and making it clear that there is a need for balance between food production and the environment.
