Cross-party support has been achieved at the Northern Ireland Assembly for an Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Private Members’ Bill.
The proposed legislation has been introduced by Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer.
The Bill passed its second reading stage at Stormont last week.
McAleer said: “In addition to the representatives of my own party, MLAs from the SDLP, the Ulster Unionist Party, Traditional Unionist Voice, plus the Independent Unionist MLA, Claire Sugden, supported the second reading of the Bill.
“We now move on to the Committee stage.”
The proposed legislation sets out to re-instate ANC payments for farmers in Northern Ireland, which were discontinued back in 2018.
Committee stage
The Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee will take evidence from stakeholders regarding the detail of the bill over the coming two months.
McAleer recognises that issues raised during the Committee stage could well be translated into proposed amendments to his Bill once it goes back to the floor of the Assembly at Stormont.
“This is to be expected,” he said.
“For example, the Bill currently refers to the provision of index-linked ANC payments.
“Traditionally, Stormont legislation does not take account of inflationary measures, where longer term payment schemes are concerned.
“However, a timetable remains in place which can allow the Bill to pass through all of its legislative stages during the lifetime of the current Assembly and Executive.”
According to the Sinn Féin politician, re-instating an ANC scheme is justified to ensure the financial viability of farms in marginal areas.
It will also help protect rural economies and support the continued management of of environmentally important landscapes.
McAleer explained: “This approach recognises the significant approach that ANC farmers make to carbon sequestration biodiversity and sustainable food production while addressing the structural disadvantages in farming these constrained areas.
“ANC payments will ensure that monies will flow into rural communities that need it most, benefitting local businesses, schools and community services.”
Once the Bill is passed into law, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) will be mandated to bring accompanying legislation through the Assembly, which will set out the exact details of how the new ANC measures will be applied.
“This process must be completed within 12 months of my private members’ bill receiving royal assent,” McAleer further explained.
“This will include provision for the funding required to deliver adequate ANC payments at farm level.”
“I believe there is a broad degree of political support at Stormont for the ANC Bill. And this can be built on for the future.”