NI farm groups call for pause to Nutrients Action Programme

A number of major agricultural organisations in Northern Ireland have joined forces to call for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) to pause its consultation on the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP).

Daera’s draft proposal for the programme was published in May, ahead of the ongoing consultation, and it revealed plans to introduce new regulations to limit slurry spreading and restrict the use of fertiliser products.

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The industry has strongly pushed back, warning that this could seriously threaten food production and livestock numbers.

An open letter signed by more than 60 NI farming organisations, including major meat and dairy processors, feed companies and trade associations, has been sent to Daera minister Andrew Muir calling for the consultation to be suspended.

The letter said: “We are particularly concerned about how the science is being used, the complete lack of economic impact analysis and inconsistencies between certain measures within this consultation document and other policies, which makes it difficult for stakeholders to comment on these proposals.

“While we welcome the recently announced extension to the consultation period, this is not adequate given the scale of potential impact and the significant concerns we have with the consultation document alone.

“For these reasons, we are asking you to suspend the current consultation process.”

William Irvine, president of Ulster Farmers’ Union and a co-signature of the letter, said the organisation was not opposed to tackling water quality issues, but solutions must be realistic, evidence-based and developed in genuine partnership with those on the ground.

He added: “This is not the case here. Therefore, as an industry, we have agreed to co-ordinate a sector-wide response including targeted lobbying and the development of an evidence-led analysis of the proposed regulations.

“The agri-food industry is NI’s largest and most vital economic sector.

“We urge Daera to recognise the scale of concern, halt the current process and work with us on a better way forward.”

Consultation extended

Deara’s NAP consultation has been extended to cover a 12-week period and is now set to remain open until 24 July.

Mr Muir said: “I recognise that the proposals in the revised NAP have a level of complexity because of the detailed science and evidence underpinning them.

“Therefore, having listened to the concerns from farmers and industry about the need for more time to consider the consultation proposals, I am extending the consultation period by four weeks.”