Northern Ireland’s farmers should be given more clarity by the UK government on how subsidies will apply to their country post-Brexit. Earlier this year the UK secretary in charge of agriculture Michael Gove outlined how subsidies in their current form would be phased out post-2020 and farmers would be paid “public money for public goods”.
Northern Ireland’s farmers should be given more clarity by the UK government on how subsidies will apply to their country post-Brexit.
Earlier this year the UK secretary in charge of agriculture Michael Gove outlined how subsidies in their current form would be phased out post-2020 and farmers would be paid “public money for public goods”.
However, a new report published today by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC) says that the UK government needs to consider the very different style of farming in NI compared to the rest of the UK.
We heard evidence about DEFRA's lack of engagement
“The Committee urges the government to revise its definition of public goods to include the survival of farms as 'essential rural assets', and to commit area payments beyond 2022, with small farms and those reliant on pasture and husbandry on marginal land particularly in mind,” the report stated.
On average, 50-60% of UK farm incomes are reliant on EU subsidies, with the UK receiving £2.8bn in subsidies in 2015.
It was also pointed out that farmers are in a vulnerable position given the lack of a government assembly to represent their interests in future negotiations on subsidies.
“We heard evidence about DEFRA's lack of engagement with Northern Ireland’s civil service and with the sector,” chair of the Committee Dr Andrew Murrison MP said.
“We were left with the impression of drift and delay at a critical time and an over-reliance on the much hoped for restoration of an Executive."
Cross border
Not surprisingly, cross-border trade was highlighted as an issue of major concern with £899.5m worth of agricultural produce traded across the border from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland last year.
While the Committee heard that the event of a no-deal Brexit was unlikely, it was stated that it could lead to the stoppage of fresh milk, live animals, cereals and flour being traded and transported across the border.
The report included contributions from farmers, the Ulster Farmers Union, livestock stakeholders and academics.
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