In response to the publication of proposed amendments to the Executive’s Climate Change Bill, Northern Ireland (NI) agri-food leaders* are urging MLAs to follow the science and back evidence-based changes to the bill, when they meet again to vote on Monday 28 February.
Ulster Farmers’ Union president Victor Chestnutt said, “Much needed amendments have now been proposed providing a lifeline to our agri-food sector and as a sector we are supportive of these amendments. It is an extremely positive development, but we are not over the line just yet.
“Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots and Sinn Féin have proposed amendments on methane that clearly align with the expert advice of the Climate Change Committee and others, and both must be supported. Our MLAs have an obligation to do what is right for rural society and economy, and the environment.
“MLAs have heard the concerns first-hand from our farmers across the country, from the wider-agri-food industry and rural communities. We have stressed to our MLAs that we support climate change legislation that will help us tackle emissions without reducing food production, and now they must work together to ensure a bill is agreed upon that delivers for climate change and everyone in society. The future of our industry is still depending on this.”
Northern Ireland Meat Exporters chief executive Conall Donnelly said, “We welcome the amendments on methane that have been proposed by both Sinn Fein and Minister Poots. We believe that these amendments are entirely complementary and consistent with a sensible, evidence-based, scientific approach. We see both of these amendments working very well together.
“With this in mind, we would like to see MLAs coming together to support both amendments which would give us an ambitious legislative framework that we can work to. With this in place, coupled with the science and innovation that is available at our local research facilities, combined with the right investment, we can become world leaders in high-quality food production helping to feed the growing population while successfully combating climate change at the same time.”
Chief executive for the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland Ian Stevenson said, “The Executive’s Climate Change Bill is due to come before the NI Assembly next week for further consideration. As it sits, it is currently unjust in terms of its impact on the agri-food sector. It could potentially lead to 40,000 – 45,000 job losses according to our recent KPMG study.
“We as an industry support climate change legislation and we’re asking MLAs to support meaningful amendments, support rural jobs and support the NI economy.”
- NI agri-food leaders – Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Food & Drink Association (NIFDA), Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA), Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association (NIMEA), and the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).
