Ulster Farmers Union

DAVID BROWN, ULSTER FARMERS’ UNION PRESIDENT

The past 12 months have thrown everything at us as farmers. From climate change legislation, a growing labour crisis and soaring input costs that have been aggravated recently to substantial levels following Russia’s inhumane invasion of Ukraine, threatening global supply chains.

All amidst the ongoing pandemic. However, we have also seen incredible levels of public support for domestic food. Our farmers continue to be recognised as key workers, helping to keep the country fed and watered throughout a really challenging time. This year started badly with rocketing input prices. Farmers are under enormous pressure due to rising costs. Yet, our retailers continue to use food as a loss leader, pushing sectors such as horticulture, poultry and pigs to the brink. Northern Ireland (NI) farmers are proud to produce some of the best food in the world, and with the right policy framework, we can deliver so much more.

We can drive the rural economy, enhance our natural environment, contribute to credible environmental targets and care for our cherished countryside so it can be enjoyed by everyone while producing more home grown, local food for shop shelves. The past year could lay the foundations for a thriving food and farming sector helping to ensure we are competitive both at home and abroad. If the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) create an agriculture policy that has a resilient food supply chain at its heart, we have the potential to not only be the number one supplier of choice for UK households, but a firm favourite for markets around the world too.

If NI farming is to succeed, we need both our domestic agriculture policy and our trade policy to support our shared objectives of feeding the nation and exporting great British food overseas. NI farmers stand ready to be part of global Britain, but we will face a continued competitive disadvantage if more trade deals are agreed like the one with New Zealand and Australia in the coming months. Too many policy decisions are being taken without a proper analysis of the consequences. Not every country can produce its own food. We are fortunate that our country is an ideal location for food production. The global population is due to increase from 7.5 billion today to an estimated 10 billion in 2050. The global demand for meat and dairy products is increasing but who will supply this food? There is a real risk that we will create a global food emergency if we do not follow the science and take the appropriate approach to tackle climate change without reducing our ability to produce high-quality food. Input prices are skyrocketing across Europe and the globe. Whether we like it or not, less fertiliser and other inputs will also mean less food output. Farmers are part of the climate change solution and will not shirk their responsibilities in tackling the global challenge, but we are against bad legislation with unrealistic targets and imposing solutions without consultation. Ignoring the contribution of farming to the rural economy and rural communities would be a monumental own goal. A balance between environmental, economic and social sustainability will be needed. Our message is that the emphasis must be on reducing emissions, not on forcing reduced output. Many countries around the world, including NI, are reliant on Ukraine’s agricultural produce as well as Russia’s food and gas supplies, and Russia’s ongoing attack on Ukraine is threatening supply chains worldwide. The price of energy and fertiliser has risen so horrendously for our farmers, that the massive jump in production costs is eyewatering. Input costs for farmers have risen to such unprecedented levels that the main worry now for consumers is not price, but availability. For example, a rise in grain prices or a significant drop in production is certain to have huge knock-on effects for food consumers.

An unavoidable distribution to supply will surely stretch availability to breaking point, let alone affordability. Food, fuel and fertiliser are inseparably linked. We have called on government and DAERA to put contingency plans in place and set up a task force for NI agriculture urgently, to support our farmers who are already struggling. The future all depends on farm businesses being profitable, sustainable and resilient. We cannot ignore the challenges of this year, or we will miss the opportunities of the next one. The government needs to continue to take action to prevent a situation where NI food is replaced by food imports. Imports which could fall way below our own highly valued standards of animal welfare and environmental protection.

Ulster Farmers’ Union president, David Brown.