Northern Ireland's agri-food sector consistently delivers produce
that can compete with the best in the world, DAERA Minister
has said.
On the eve of the Balmoral Show, Minister Muir told the Farmers'
Club annual dinner in Queen's University Belfast that Northern
Ireland's flagship agri-food showpiece was a celebration of “the
success of our farmers and the food they produce.”
“Farming is a vein that runs through our culture and society.
It's a core part of the rural way of life,” Minister Muir said.
“Whether it is beef and dairy, poultry, pigs, crop, horticulture,
potatoes or arable, Northern Ireland farmers consistently deliver
produce that competes with the best, anywhere in the world. This
is a testament to the calibre of the people working in this
industry.”
Minister Muir, however, acknowledged a number of challenges
facing the industry, ranging from international conflict and
energy price shocks to disruption to supply chains and continued
uncertainty around fuel, feed and fertiliser costs.
He noted: “Ongoing international instability continues to create
uncertainty, particularly in relation to fuel and fertiliser
costs, with impacts felt most acutely in rural areas. That is why
I am calling on the UK Government to review the rate of excise
duty and VAT on fuel, and consider support for those most in
need, particularly farmers, hauliers and the rural community.”
The Minister said trade remained a top priority built upon a
respected regulation framework, remarking: “Our unique dual
market access to both the European Union and rest of the UK
continues to provide a real competitive opportunity.”
He was continuing to engage the UK Government to ensure Northern
Ireland's unique interests are fully reflected in ongoing SPS
discussions.
“My aim is for an UK/EU SPS agri-food agreement that delivers for
Northern Ireland by easing trade flows from Great Britain to
Northern Ireland. My engagement with the UK Government in respect
of the agreement has been positive with an agreement hopefully
due to be reached later this year and tangible benefits delivered
from mid-2027 onwards,” Minister Muir said.
The Minister welcomed changes secured on Inheritance Tax and said
he was continuing to push UK Government for a full re-think.
He also stressed the importance of working with the industry to
address challenges like bovine TB, the arrival of the Bluetongue
virus, improving air and water quality and biodiversity.
In the face of the demands from farmers and their representatives
for stability, certainty and direction, he said DAERA had
responded with the £330 million Sustainable Agriculture Programme
- the only part of the UK to set aside ringfenced funding for the
sector.
This provided a long‑term framework for agri‑food while
protecting animal health and the environment and moved away from
short‑term, stop‑start support - putting agriculture on a stable,
funded footing.
In 2025 alone, seven new schemes were rolled out under SAP,
including the first stand of the Farming with Nature Package,
building on four existing schemes, with DAERA eager to shape this
support in partnership with the industry so it “works with farm
businesses and delivers for all citizens of Northern Ireland.”
Funding was also available through a Just Transition Fund for
Agriculture, supporting the Bovine Genetics and Sustainable
Utilisation of Livestock Slurries projects.
Minister Muir concluded: “Northern Ireland's farmers have built a
sector that is second to none and I am immensely proud of it as
Minister. I really value a respectful relationship with all
stakeholders. Working together, we can achieve a thriving,
resilient and environmentally sustainable future for farming.”
