The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and Ulster Arable Society (UAS) have jointly sponsored a report which reviews the arable sector in Northern Ireland (NI), summarises its importance and identifies opportunities for the future. The summary report is now available to download from the UFU website and will be available shortly on the UAS website.
Announcing the report UFU deputy president William Irvine said, “While the crop areas in NI have steadily declined over many years, a trend which continues today, the report identifies the opportunities for sustainable growth in all three elements of the sector – combinable crops, vegetables and potatoes. For example, local cereal production only provides 22 percent of the total animal feed requirements with the remainder being imported, and the interest in plant-based diets has never been greater.”
Bruce Steele, UAS chair said, “I’m delighted to have been part of the steering group which compiled the report on the NI arable sector. With my colleagues Robert Moore, David McElrea and Roy Lyttle, we listened to a broad range of views from growers and our customers along the various supply chains and have, with the help of our facilitator Ian Duff, come up with twelve action threads that are needed to reverse the downward trend and develop our vision for the future.
“This vision can be summed up as ‘a sector which is an integral part of a progressive mixed farming region in which all farm types combine to deliver safe and affordable food that is both economically and environmentally sustainable’. We recognise that NI is primarily a grass farming region and believe that by working together, livestock and arable farmers, can deliver a sustainable future for businesses and the environment. We see this very much as a ‘them and us’ not ‘them or us’ future.”
The steering group wish to thank the many individuals who gave their time so freely and shared their experience and opinions during the discussions leading up to the preparation of these recommendations. Their input was invaluable in helping to compile the report and develop recommendations, which the steering group hopes will help chart a path to an exciting, prosperous and sustainable future for the industry. Please take the time to read and consider the recommendations provided, they can be downloaded by clicking here.
Pictured: (L–R, front row) Farmer Charlie Kilpatrick, UFU vegetable vice chair Roy Lyttle and facilitator Ian Duff. (L-R, back row) UFU deputy president William Irvine, UAS chair Bruce Steele, UFU seeds and cereals committee members David McElrea and Robert Moore.
