Representatives from the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) discussed policy priorities with MLAs at the annual NI farm family day at Stormont on Monday.

In his first official event since taking over as UFU chief executive, Conall Donnelly thanked the politicians in attendance for the “respectful engagement” that the UFU receives at Stormont.

“We can agree and disagree on various issues, but today is about telling our story and explaining our policy positions to parliamentarians that often aren’t from a farming background,” he said.

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In his address, UFU president William Irvine said the theme of this year’s event was about building resilience in NI farming.

“It is the ability to keep going when prices fluctuate, when the weather works against you, when policy changes or when new challenges emerge,” he said. The UFU president added: “Resilience does not happen by accident. It requires practical policy, clear direction and the right support from government.”

UFU deputy presidents Glenn Cuddy and John McLenaghan; Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan; UFU president William Irvine and UFU Parliamentary Officer Alexander Kinnear at Stormont on Monday.

The UFU event at Stormont was sponsored by Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan, who said she recognised the wide variety of challenges that farming families are facing.