The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has criticised proposals to increase firearms licensing fees in Northern Ireland by up to 153%.
The organisation described the move as “unjustifiable and deeply concerning for farm businesses that require firearms for vermin control”.
The Department of Justice proposals, which are now out for public consultation, would see the cost of a firearm certificate rise from £98 to £250, alongside significant increase across other licensing categories.
The UFU described the scale and speed of the increase as “excessive” and said it “reflects an overreliance on a full cost recovery model that fails to recognise the essential role firearms play in agriculture”.
‘Unacceptable’
UFU deputy president John McLenaghan said: “A 153% increase is simply unacceptable.
“Farmers are already operating under significant financial pressure, and this proposal places yet another cost burden on them without sufficient justification.
“Firearms are not a luxury on farms, they are a necessity.”
McLenaghan said that “attempting to bridge a funding gap through a sudden and significant hike in fees is the wrong approach”.
He added that it “shows a lack of understanding of how essential these tools are for farm businesses”.
“If changes to the system are required, they must be introduced in a fair and measured way.
“It is not acceptable to impose a drastic increase overnight to cover a shortfall,” he said.
McLenaghan added that this is “not how good policy should be developed”.
“Farmers should not be treated as an easy option to fill a budget gap”.
The UFU said it has raised concerns about the Department of Justice’s reliance on a full cost recovery approach, arguing that firearms licensing “supports broader public outcomes and should not be treated as a purely private, user-pays system”.
“There is a clear public interest in ensuring farms can effectively manage vermin, protect livestock, and support rural safety,” McLenaghan said.
“This is not comparable to a standard chargeable service, and it is wrong to shift the full cost onto law-abiding users and responsible licence holders.”
The UFU also criticised the absence of any commitment to service improvements alongside the proposed increases.
“Farmers are being asked to pay significantly more, yet there are no guarantees of faster processing times or improved service delivery,” McLenaghan said.
“That is not acceptable. Any changes to fees must be matched by clear improvements in how the system operates.”
The union said it will strongly oppose the firearm proposals.
“These proposals fail to recognise the realities of farming and the essential role firearms play within it,” the deputy president said.
“We will be making it clear that a more balanced, evidence-based approach is required – one that supports farmers rather than placing additional burdens on them.”
