Pictured at Ulster Farmers’ Union headquarters following the stakeholder meeting (L-R) Sergeant Ross Hakin, Inspector Sorcha Irwin, Brian Megahey (UFU), Deputy President Glenn Cuddy, Policy Officer Daniel Toft, Dr Lizzy Pinkerton (Belfast Hills Partnership)
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) together with Belfast Hills Partnership and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have reaffirmed their commitment to working together to tackle illegal activity in the Belfast Hills.
The Belfast Hills Stakeholder meeting, held recently between all parties, farmers, and other stakeholders in the Belfast Hills focused on strengthening cooperation, improving reporting and identifying practical measures to protect farmland, livestock and rural communities from ongoing disruption and damage.
The UFU, which hosts the group, welcomed the constructive engagement and emphasised the importance of a continued collaborative approach on an issue that is having a serious impact on farmers in the area.
Deputy President Glenn Cuddy said, “Illegal trespassing and unauthorised quad and scrambler use, are all issues that cause significant stress for farmers. We are hearing from members who are having property damaged, livestock worried and in some cases suffering financial losses as a result. Beyond the financial impact, there is also a very real emotional toll and concern for personal safety, with some farmers experiencing threatening and intimidating behaviour.”
Mr Cuddy added that the UFU will continue discussions around strengthening legislation in this area. “The UFU will be progressing discussions around legislative change relating to the illegal use of quads and scramblers with our politicians. Farmers have a right to feel safe on their land and operate without a fear of damage, disruption, intimidation, or criminal activity.”
Belfast Hills Partnership Manager, Dr Lizzy Pinkerton, highlighted “The Belfast Hills are a great natural resource – our public sites have created a peaceful haven for local people and wildlife to enjoy; while our private sites provide important land management, employment opportunities and economic benefits, while also providing space for nature to thrive. Unfortunately, dangerous driving of vehicles such as scramblers, and indeed the criminal damage involved in breaking open gates and fences, does nothing to add to this work. In fact illegal scrambler use can have a fatal impact -one life has already been lost to the illegal use of scramblers on public land in the Belfast Hills. We would like to uphold the memory of those lost by preventing this from ever happening again. We are grateful to the PSNI for their support in helping us tackle this issue”.
The UFU, PSNI and Belfast Hills Partnership remain committed to ongoing collaboration, recognising that coordinated action, clear reporting and appropriate enforcement are key to protecting farms, livestock and the wider rural communities. The PSNI added, “West Belfast Neighbourhood Policing team are pleased to be working in partnership with UFU to tackle rural crime in the hills. We will continue to engage with partners and the local community to prevent and detect crime.”
The UFU are reminding all farmers to remain vigilant and to report all incidents to the PSNI immediately.
