Speaking on the eve of the 2025 Balmoral Show DAERA Minister,
MLA, has urged partnership
working to deliver economic and environmental sustainability for
the agri-food sector.
Addressing the annual Farmers' Club dinner held in Queen's
University of Belfast, Minister Muir said: “Helping
our farmers mitigate cost and price pressures by improving their
productivity and resilience, while also achieving environment
improvement is my guiding mission. There's lots to do, but
together, led by the science and by investing in the technology a
strong and positive future is ahead.
"The pace of change in recent years is
unprecedented. Looking back just ten years ago
is clear proof of that transformation. Addressing current
challenges requires us all to work in partnership to protect both
farm families and our environment."
The Minister cited a range of challenges including bTB,
Inheritance Tax, Climate Change, Water Quality, Nature Recovery,
Ammonia and more. He welcomed the recent publication of the TB
Partnership Steering Group's Blueprint for Education of bTB and
stated he was firmly focused on action and delivery.
“There is a bright future for agriculture if we navigate
the road ahead together, guided by science, evidence and
research. Our science community is critical to uncovering the new
knowledge, science and innovation to transform the sector.
Scientists have unlocked amazing interventions in the past for
agri-food and are doing it again today,” Minister Muir
continued.
“The Sustainable Agriculture Programme, is fundamental to
supporting our family farm businesses. It will enable us to
collectively achieve our environmental and climate change goals,
providing the right support and policies to help move the
industry forward on a journey of change ensuring both economic
and environmental sustainability.
“A prime example is the Bovine Genetics Project which
will provide farm businesses with the data and evidence to make
more informed breeding decisions which in turn will deliver more
efficient, healthier and productive animals with lower carbon
footprints.
“Other examples include the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme
which assists farmers in planning their farm nutrient management
more effectively and the £12million Sustainable Utilisation of
Livestock Slurry (Phase 2) Project, which
provides a real opportunity for agriculture to work in
partnership with the energy sector as well as removing excess
phosphorus from the land."
He also repeated his opposition to proposed changes to
inheritance tax: “I do have to again express my
bitter disappointment at the UK Government's plans to change
inheritance tax. Let me be clear, the family farm tax is wrong,
it should not proceed.”
Minister Muir also reiterated his ongoing efforts in making the
case to the UK Government for an ambitious and comprehensive SPS
veterinary agreement between the UK and EU which would have
significant benefits for Northern Ireland involving common food,
animal and plant standards between the UK and the EU.
“I have been making the case strongly to UK Government
Ministers on this and other matters and I am quietly confident
that my points are being heard. There is still a way to go
with UK / EU negotiations but I am hopeful there will be a
positive and significant outcome for agri-food from the summit
next Monday.”
The Minister also highlighted his representations to the UK
Government urging against concessions on agriculture in
discussions with the US on trade saying: “Farmers in
Northern Ireland produce quality food to the highest welfare
standards, they should not be undercut by cheap imports from the
USA or elsewhere.”
Notes to editors:
- DAERA's Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP) (formerly the
Farm Support and Development Programme) is being co-designed with
the Northern Ireland agricultural industry and other key food and
environmental stakeholders.
- The overall aim is to transition to a more sustainable
farming sector by seeking to implement policies and strategies
that benefit Northern Ireland's climate and environment, while
supporting its economically and socially significant agriculture
sector.
- The main source of funding for the SAP is the NI Executive
Earmarked Agriculture Budget (£329.4million for 2025/26).
