Northern Irish Sheep Farmers Face Financial Uncertainty Amid Declining Support
Source: DairyNews.today
Farm leaders in Northern Ireland have raised serious concerns about the lack of future financial support for the region’s struggling sheep sector. At a recent meeting with the Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs Committee, the Sheep Industry Taskforce—comprising various industry groups—outlined the challenges facing sheep farmers, who rely heavily on subsidies like the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) to sustain their operations.
The BPS currently makes up a significant portion of sheep farms' income, a critical lifeline in a sector with some of the lowest earnings in Northern Irish agriculture. Sheep farming plays an essential role in the region’s agricultural landscape, with nearly 40% of farm businesses engaged in sheep production. Last year alone, the sheep sector contributed £109 million to the local economy.
However, Glenn Cuddy, deputy president of the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU), warned that the sector faces an 18% reduction in BPS payments, with no viable alternatives to offset the shortfall. He emphasized that many sheep farms are situated on severely disadvantaged land, which is unsuitable for crop production or cattle farming. As a result, these farms are unable to benefit from government programs like the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme or the Suckler Cow Scheme. Additionally, the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payments, which once provided support for farming in such challenging areas, ended in 2017.
“We left the meeting having made it clear that sheep support must be included in future agricultural policy,” Cuddy stated. He underscored the need for targeted financial support to prevent the sector from collapsing.
Sean Fitzpatrick of the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers' Association echoed these concerns, pointing out the myriad challenges faced by sheep farmers, including unpredictable weather, poor land quality, and an aging farming population. “The sheep industry contributed £109 million to the Northern Irish economy in 2023, but how can we expect farmers to maintain this when their incomes are being significantly reduced?” he asked.
Without adequate financial support, Fitzpatrick warned, many sheep farmers could be forced out of business, which would have a devastating impact on rural communities, the environment, and the wider supply chain.
The UFU and other industry representatives are planning further discussions with Northern Ireland’s Farming Minister, Andrew Muir, in the coming weeks to address these pressing concerns and advocate for stronger support for sheep farming.
However, Glenn Cuddy, deputy president of the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU), warned that the sector faces an 18% reduction in BPS payments, with no viable alternatives to offset the shortfall. He emphasized that many sheep farms are situated on severely disadvantaged land, which is unsuitable for crop production or cattle farming. As a result, these farms are unable to benefit from government programs like the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme or the Suckler Cow Scheme. Additionally, the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payments, which once provided support for farming in such challenging areas, ended in 2017.
“We left the meeting having made it clear that sheep support must be included in future agricultural policy,” Cuddy stated. He underscored the need for targeted financial support to prevent the sector from collapsing.
Sean Fitzpatrick of the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers' Association echoed these concerns, pointing out the myriad challenges faced by sheep farmers, including unpredictable weather, poor land quality, and an aging farming population. “The sheep industry contributed £109 million to the Northern Irish economy in 2023, but how can we expect farmers to maintain this when their incomes are being significantly reduced?” he asked.
Without adequate financial support, Fitzpatrick warned, many sheep farmers could be forced out of business, which would have a devastating impact on rural communities, the environment, and the wider supply chain.
The UFU and other industry representatives are planning further discussions with Northern Ireland’s Farming Minister, Andrew Muir, in the coming weeks to address these pressing concerns and advocate for stronger support for sheep farming.
23.09.2024
Carbon emissions in global milk production - the elephant in the room
I have been thinking to make this post yes/ no. I decided for yes and like to ask everyone to not "shoot the messenger". The chart shows an analysis of IFCN Dairy Research Network from the 2024 supporter conference in Poland.
