Francess McDonnell

DUP MP accuses Sinn Féin of ‘kicking farmers when they’re down’ in NI
DUP MP accuses Sinn Féin of ‘kicking farmers when they’re down’ in NI

A DUP MP has accused Sinn Féin of “abandoning Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector and kicking farmers when they’re down”. Carla...

PSNI: Bullocks worth up to £30,000 reported stolen from Co. Tyrone farm
PSNI: Bullocks worth up to £30,000 reported stolen from Co. Tyrone farm

The Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) is investigating the reported theft of a number of valuable bullocks in Co....

Jeremy Clarkson confirms Diddly Squat farm is down with TB
Jeremy Clarkson confirms Diddly Squat farm is down with TB

Jeremy Clarkson has said everyone at Diddly Squat is “absolutely devastated” after confirmation of bovine TB on the farm. The...

NI council launches investigation after five sheep reported killed over 10 days
NI council launches investigation after five sheep reported killed over 10 days

Derry City and Strabane District Council has launched an investigation into dog attacks on livestock after five sheep were reported...

Pick-up warning issued in UK as Toyota Hilux thefts soar
Pick-up warning issued in UK as Toyota Hilux thefts soar

Owners of Toyota Hilux, a popular choice for farmers, have been warned to “take immediate steps” to keep their pick-ups...

UK taskforce recommends ‘targeted’ bird flu vaccination trial in turkeys 
UK taskforce recommends ‘targeted’ bird flu vaccination trial in turkeys 

A new report from a UK joint industry, cross-government taskforce has recommended a targeted on-farm vaccination trial in turkeys –...

Court: NI farmer convicted of ‘causing unnecessary suffering to an animal’
Court: NI farmer convicted of ‘causing unnecessary suffering to an animal’

A Co. Armagh farmer has been convicted at Newry Court of five animal welfare charges. Tiernan McMullen (23) of Granary...

Dale Farm co-op reports an increase in turnover to £722.4m
Dale Farm co-op reports an increase in turnover to £722.4m

The Northern Ireland co-op, Dale Farm, has reported a 14% year on year jump in turnover to £722.4 million for...

Farmer convicted at Tyrone court for water pollution offence
Farmer convicted at Tyrone court for water pollution offence

A Co. Tyrone farmer pleaded guilty and was convicted at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court today (Monday, June 9) in relation to...

Farming group ‘not ruling out legal action’ over NAP proposals for NI
Farming group ‘not ruling out legal action’ over NAP proposals for NI

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is “not ruling out legal action” in relation to new proposals contained in Northern Ireland’s...

NI brucellosis compensation rates for June 2025 – DAERA
NI brucellosis compensation rates for June 2025 – DAERA

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published the brucellosis compensation rates for Northern Ireland for June...

Bird flu biosecurity measures to be lifted north and south
Bird flu biosecurity measures to be lifted north and south

Bird flu biosecurity measures are to be lifted in the Republic and Northern Ireland from May 31, government departments, north...

WOAH report: Infectious animal diseases affecting new areas and species
WOAH report: Infectious animal diseases affecting new areas and species

The “spread, prevalence and impact of infectious animal diseases” is changing and bringing new challenges, according to a new report...

Moy Park owner urges UK govt to adopt ‘joined up policy’ for NI agri-food sector
Moy Park owner urges UK govt to adopt ‘joined up policy’ for NI agri-food sector

Pilgrim’s Europe, which is the owner of Moy Park, one of Northern Ireland’s (NI) largest businesses, has urged the UK...

Single case of atypical BSE confirmed on farm in Essex – APHA
Single case of atypical BSE confirmed on farm in Essex – APHA

A single case of atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Essex the UK’s Animal and...

Questions raised on ‘access’ to vet medicines in NI following new EU/UK deal
Questions raised on ‘access’ to vet medicines in NI following new EU/UK deal

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) today (Monday, May 19) raised fresh questions on the issue of continued “access” to veterinary...

UK to sell ‘burgers/sausages’ into EU again as new post-Brexit deal unveiled
UK to sell ‘burgers/sausages’ into EU again as new post-Brexit deal unveiled

The first major post-Brexit deal between the EU and the UK unveiled today (Monday, May 19) in London is set...

UK report: Farmers advised to assess feed stocks following dry weather spell
UK report: Farmers advised to assess feed stocks following dry weather spell

Livestock farmers are being advised to assess feed requirements because ongoing dry weather conditions could impact on future supplies, according...