Representatives from the Ulster Farmers’ Union, National Farmers’ Union (NFU), NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru and the British Agriculture Bureau gathered in Northern Ireland for the UK Farming Unions Crops Meeting, hosted by the UFU ahead of Arable NI 2026.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) hosted the UK Farming Unions Crops Meeting on Tuesday 2nd June, bringing together the four farming unions. Chaired by UFU Deputy President Glenn Cuddy, the meeting was attended by policy executives and crop chairs from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru, the British Agriculture Bureau and UFU Seeds and Cereals Policy Chairman Richard Orr.
The meeting forms part of a regular programme of engagement between the UK farming unions, providing an opportunity to discuss challenges affecting individual nations as well as wider issues impacting global arable production and trade.
Timed to coincide with Arable NI 2026, a new arable event taking place on Wednesday 3 June 2026 at Tom Wells’ farm near Moira. Organised jointly by Ulster Farmers Union, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise and the Ulster Arable Society, the event will bring together growers, researchers, advisers and industry stakeholders to showcase the latest developments in crop production, machinery, technology and research.
Discussions at the UK crops meeting focused on a number of key issues currently affecting growers, including the UK Farm Assurance Review, EU-UK SPS negotiations, glyphosate and NGO activity relating to plant protection products, the Voluntary Initiative and NRoSO, the AHDB Digital Grain Passport and fair dealing within the supply chain.
UFU Deputy President Glenn Cuddy commented after the meeting, “It was a privilege to meet with our colleagues from across the UK in Northern Ireland. The arable sector continues to face significant challenges, from rising input costs and market volatility to increasing regulatory pressures.
“While the issues may vary across regions, there is a shared recognition that cereal and arable producers need practical, clear policies that support productivity and resilience. Meetings such as this allow us to share experiences, identify common priorities and strengthen our voice on behalf of growers.”
The UFU said the meeting reinforced the importance of continued collaboration between the four farming unions as the sector navigates a challenging economy, with concerns remaining high around fertiliser, fuel and global instability.
