Focus on the future at the Balmoral Show
Richard Halleron reports on how two live issues for the future of agriculture – EU membership and the role of young farmers – sparked discussion at this year’s Balmoral Show.
Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has called for Northern Ireland to have its own separate referendum on EU membership. Speaking at this year’s Balmoral Show, she said this is too big an issue to be decided at a UK level.
“Our agriculture and food sectors are highly dependent on support from Brussels,” she stated, “and for this reason alone, farmers must have their say on this crucially important issue.”
The Minister was the keynote speaker at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development breakfast, a key highlight of day two at the show. O’Neill also indicated that she would favour a ‘yes’ vote, if a referendum on EU membership were to be held.
“The farming sectors would be the big losers if we were to withdraw from the European Union,” she said. “Another important factor to be considered in this regard is our land border with the Republic.”
O’Neill added that the farming and food sectors remain on target to secure significant growth over the coming years: “All of this will be export-focused. My department’s officials are working hard to secure new markets in South East Asia and the Middle East. Recent visits by Chinese veterinary officials give hope that pork exports from the North to China will become a reality over the coming months.”
The Minister also confirmed that significant efforts are being made to open markets in the US for local beef and lamb.
“This is work in progress,” she said. “We continue to make great strides in securing entry into new markets but maintaining that access is also vitally important. Our ability to trade must be supported by all links in the supply and marketing chain. As part of this process, my department is also working to overcome barriers to trade associated with certification, labelling and animal health and welfare.”
The Minister also highlighted her efforts to address EU country of origin labelling rules, which currently present significant barriers to trade for local lamb producers exporting their product south of the border.
“I have been monitoring developments closely and am doing everything in my power to support solutions to the current lamb situation and head off future problems,” she remarked. “This includes working with Minister Simon Coveney in the South, and lobbying Defra and the EU Commission for greater flexibility for producers on this island. It is vital that we continue to work closely with industry, north and south, on this issue to find workable solutions for everyone.”
Turning to the dairy industry, the Minister said last year’s 20 per cent uplift in exports shows an increased worldwide demand for produce from Northern Ireland and added that growing dairy exports further will play a part in helping to turn around the recent decline in farm gate milk prices.
Succession plans
Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) President Roberta Simmons enjoyed her first Balmoral Show in her new role at the helm of Northern Ireland’s leading rural youth organisation. Commenting on the major changes to the Common Agricultural (CAP) – that come into effect this year – she confirmed that large numbers of young farmers have applied for the single farm top-up under the new support arrangements.
“I am not able to put an actual figure on it,” she said. “But the feedback from the various clubs would indicate that many young people right across Northern Ireland are committing themselves to a future in agriculture. And this is tremendously positive, both for the individuals concerned and our industry as a whole. Agriculture needs young blood. The average age of farmers in Northern Ireland is far too old at the present time.”
Simmons is calling for the department, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise and all other relevant public bodies to improve the training resources made available to young people in rural areas.
“This is a crucially important issue,” she stressed. “Anything that can be done to enhance the level of training for young farmers will allow them carry out their jobs more efficiently. It will also make them more employable outside production agriculture, should they opt to look at other career opportunities down the line.”
She has also confirmed that the YFCU will launch a land mobility initiative later this year.
Simmons explained: “There are large numbers of farms in Northern Ireland where there are no succession arrangements in place. We now intend putting older farmers facing this challenge in touch with younger colleagues who can then develop long-term development projects for the farms in question on an agreed basis. My great fear is that if steps of this nature are not taken, large tracts of land in Northern Ireland will fall into total disuse.”
The YFCU President also confirmed that initial meetings with the Ulster Farmers’ Union presidential team have already taken place on this issue.
“The scheme will be rolled out with the support of the union,” she said. “The principles are in place. We need to hammer out the details over the coming weeks and months. Macra na Feirme already has a pilot scheme of this nature working successfully in the Republic. And I see no reason why we cannot follow suit here in Northern Ireland.”
