The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has visited Westminster, where it called on the UK government to better support Northern Irish farmers as they face “spiralling input costs”.
UFU president William Irvine outlined that the union’s “intensive political engagement” with cabinet ministers, MPs, and peers yesterday (Tuesday, April 14) spanned all parties.
Irvine noted that cross-party support on the pressures facing Northern Ireland farm businesses could “accelerate government response.”
Speaking from Westminster, he said: “Over the past two days we have been engaging directly with decision-makers at the very highest levels of government.
“We have met with cabinet ministers, MPs from across all parties and members of the House of Lords to ensure there is no doubt about the seriousness of the situation facing our farmers.”
Irvine emphasised that the union’s Westminster visit “is not just about raising awareness, it is about driving action.”
“We have secured commitments at the highest level, including direct engagement with the Prime Minister following a question raised on our behalf.
“It is now essential that these commitments are followed through and delivered rapidly,” he added.
Rising input costs
The UFU president warned that recent price increases on fuel and fertiliser has put farm businesses “under immense pressure” amid ongoing policy challenges and weather impacts.
However, Irvine also highlighted that these farm challenges come at a time when “government tax revenues have increased significantly.”
As a result, he has now called for meaningful support to be directed back to sustain food production and the wider agri-food sector.
“We are continuing to meet with political representatives, industry stakeholders and officials to ensure that Northern Ireland farmers are heard loud and clear.
“This is a sustained campaign and we will continue to apply pressure until practical support is delivered.
“Farmers are doing everything they can to keep producing food under extremely difficult conditions; they cannot continue to absorb these pressures alone,” Irvine said.
The UFU president urged the government in Westminster and Stormont to “now act decisively to protect the future of Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry.”