Continuing restrictions on cross-border animal movements into Northern Ireland (NI) have been described as unfair by the chair of Northern Ireland’s Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA), Robbie Butler.
The AERA committee chairperson also views the paperwork linked to farm machinery imports – which is perceived as excessive by many – in the same light.
Both issues are linked to the operation of Windsor Framework, the full implementation of which comes into effect this week.
NI livestock can move to any part of Britain with their current tags. However, they have to meet certain requirements, including a six-month residency period, should they return to Northern Ireland.
Butler said: “Pedigree breeders in Northern Ireland committing to sales in the rest of the UK are forced to keep stock that did not sell on farms in the vicinity sale venue for a number of months prior to them being allowed home again.
“This makes no sense at all. Animals that were not sold should be allowed to come home without delay.
“Apart from the principle that comes into play, restrictions of this nature are creating significant and additional expense for the breeders involved.”
Rules on cross-border trade
The Lagan Valley-based Ulster Unionist Party politician also criticised changes to the rules on the movement of agricultural machinery into Northern Ireland.
The UK Government requires that all movements of used agricultural and forestry machinery requires either a phytosanitary certificate or NI Plant Health Label (NIPHL).
If machinery or vehicles move to Northern Ireland for onward sale to the Republic of Ireland or other EU countries then full Official Controls Regulations (OCR) apply, and a phytosanitary certificate is required.
Butler said: “And the current requirements associated with the movement of farm machinery are equally frustrating.
“I am aware of machinery items that were recently taken across from Northern Ireland to Great Britain for promotional purposes only – they were not used on-farm.
“However, on return to Belfast, the people involved were immediately sent back to Scotland with their machinery in order to secure the required documentation completed.
“There was no attempt on anyone’s part to contravene regulations. However, this is an example of just how frustrating the implementation of the Windsor Framework continues to be for those involved with Northern Ireland’s agri-business sector.”
The AERA committee chairperson is hopeful that the recent trade deal struck between the UK and the EU will help to reduce further those agri-food trade restrictions that continue to exist between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Butler is also highlighting the scope for Northern Ireland’ initial Climate Action Plan to be used as a means of reducing livestock numbers.
He explained: “The documentation prepared for the Climate Action Plan public consultation – which is now ongoing – references the potential for herd reduction measures to allow Northern Ireland meet its future greenhouse gas emissions’ targets.
“This approach is fully in line with thinking that has been put into the public domain by the UK’s Climate Change Committee and the Office of Environmental Protection.”
Butler raised this matter with Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) officials at a recent meeting of the agriculture committee.
He told Agriland: “They said that there are no plans at the present time to use livestock reduction as a means of meeting climate change targets.
“However, there is an absolute incongruity between this stance and the measures that may be contained within climate action.
“Farmers are very aware of this issue. This is a fundamental matter that goes to the very heart of livestock production practices here in Northern Ireland.”
