The president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) Ivor Ferguson has said that his organisation has been left “bitterly disappointed” and “extremely deflated” after MPs voted down an amendment to the Agriculture Bill on Wednesday.
The proposed amendment would have required food imports to meet the same standards expected of UK farmers.
However, despite some Tory MPs voting against the government, it still passed by a majority of 51. Effectively, the majority of MPs decided that the Bill remains fit for purpose.
Bewildered
“This logic has bewildered the entire UK farming community considering how the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the importance of local food production and food security,” said Ferguson.
He maintained that it leaves UK agriculture in a very uncertain position, with a prevailing fear that the British market will, in future, be flooded with cheap food imports produced to standards illegal in the UK.
However, Ferguson said his organisation would not be giving up on getting the Bill changed as it now moves to the House of Lords for approval, before finally becoming law.
He also welcomed the fact that all Northern Ireland MPs (outside of Sinn Féin who do not take their seats) voted in favour of the amendment.
Read more
MPs reject ban on low-standard food imports
Funds within DAERA for crisis aid
The president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) Ivor Ferguson has said that his organisation has been left “bitterly disappointed” and “extremely deflated” after MPs voted down an amendment to the Agriculture Bill on Wednesday.
The proposed amendment would have required food imports to meet the same standards expected of UK farmers.
However, despite some Tory MPs voting against the government, it still passed by a majority of 51. Effectively, the majority of MPs decided that the Bill remains fit for purpose.
Bewildered
“This logic has bewildered the entire UK farming community considering how the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the importance of local food production and food security,” said Ferguson.
He maintained that it leaves UK agriculture in a very uncertain position, with a prevailing fear that the British market will, in future, be flooded with cheap food imports produced to standards illegal in the UK.
However, Ferguson said his organisation would not be giving up on getting the Bill changed as it now moves to the House of Lords for approval, before finally becoming law.
He also welcomed the fact that all Northern Ireland MPs (outside of Sinn Féin who do not take their seats) voted in favour of the amendment.
Read more
MPs reject ban on low-standard food imports
Funds within DAERA for crisis aid
SHARING OPTIONS