Commodity Watch
This week the UFU President led a delegation from the Ulster Farmer’s Union to meet the Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan to discuss a range of issues. The UFU delegation included the President, UFU Environment Committee Chairman John McLenaghan, Policy Director Wesley Aston, Senior Policy Officer Aileen Lawson and Policy Officer Elliot Bell.
Although time was limited, the Union were able to briefly raise a number of points which are currently being highlighted within the UFU. Among the issues raised by the UFU were:
Land Designation: The Union welcomed the Minister’s announcement that he would not be taking forward enabling legislation for national parks at this time however, highlighted concerns regarding the designation and management restrictions around ASSIs and other designated sites. The Union highlighted the need for a more practical approach to such sites and for adequate compensation to farmers whose land is designated.
Cross-Compliance: The UFU highlighted issues around the inspection and enforcement process and outlined examples of practice elsewhere where a more educational type approach is taken. The Minister was receptive to this although highlighted that there are certain obligations that they must carry out to satisfy the EC in terms of regulating legislation.
Going for Growth, Agri-Food Strategy Board report: It was highlighted to the Minister that environmental regulation may prevent the expansion of some farms e.g. those regulated under IPPC and therefore could restrict growth of the industry which goes against the ‘Going for Growth’ strategy. The UFU also raised the need to reduce bureaucracy and simplify existing regulation and there are opportunities to do so for example under the current review of the Nitrates Action Programme. The UFU highlighted that there needs to be opportunity for the agri-food sector to expand to meet market demands and this does not need to be in conflict with environmental issues.
The UFU President has invited the Minister onto a farm to see the practical workings of environmental regulation on farms.
