A total of eight of the 108 MLAs declared that they have full ownership or a share in farmland in the most recent version of the register. That compares with 16 who made similar declarations at the start of the last Assembly term in 2011.

Regular farm work

Of these eight in 2016, five made no other declarations, while three admitted that they regularly work on the farm, although their political commitments mean the number of hours worked is small (Edwin Poots, 10 hours per week; William Irwin 10 hours per week; David Ford, eight hours per week). However, all three declared that they receive no earnings from the farm business.

At least they are in a position to empathise with many farmers who also effectively work for nothing.

Spare time

However, in the case of Upper Bann MLA Carla Lockhart, she does not own any land, but works on a farm in her spare time, receiving £2,500 per annum for eight hours per week. That works out at £6 per hour, not great when you compare it with the MLA salary at Stormont of £49,000 per year, plus generous expenses.