Reports carried by various media outlets that Dunbia are making plans to relocate much of its Dungannon-based operation to Britain post-Brexit have been denied by the company.

A senior source in Dunbia told the Irish Farmers Journal that the story was without any basis. “Of course we are worried about Brexit, and concerned that controls at ports (entry into Britain) could add an unwanted cost to our business, but to suggest we are actively considering moving our operation to England and Wales is simply not true,” said the source.

At present, Dunbia employs around 1,000 people in the Dungannon area, with a slaughter plant and large retailing packing facility, that services a number of Dunbia sites across Britain.

UFU agrees to work with NIEA

After well over two years of negotiation, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and the NI Environment Agency (NIEA), which is now part of DAERA, have finally signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The sticking point seems to have been how NIEA deals with low severity pollution incidents, which previously could have resulted in a significant reduction in direct payments. However, under the new agreement, farmers will receive initial support and advice from NIEA without fear of a cross compliance penalty.

At the centre of the MOU is a firm commitment to improve training and guidance to ensure everyone is better informed about the rules. There is also a commitment to share knowledge and guidance with farm quality assurance inspectors, who will also have a role in delivering clear and consistent advice to farmers.

In terms of environmental legislation, the UFU will encourage more intensive livestock farmers to apply for a nitrates derogation (allowing farmers to spread up to 250kg manure N per hectare), while the NIEA will not retrospectively inspect records for new derogation applicants.

Also of significance is an agreement that the NIEA will give a minimum of seven days notice for a routine cross-compliance inspection.

NIEA chief executive David Small insisted that the agreement was not a softening of the agency’s regulatory approach.

“Enforcement is one tool to achieve environmental compliance; guidance and support is another,” he said.

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Spring lamb prices drop 20p/kg

Spring lamb prices have taken a hit this week with plants pulling quotes by 20p/kg to 460p/kg. Low demand, with butchers the main market outlet, and an increase in the numbers coming onto the market this week has led to prices falling.

The drop in base price knocks £4.20 off the sale value of spring lambs. Hogget prices have also fallen by 10p to 15p/kg with processors now quoting a base of 400p/kg.

Prices south of the border have also come under pressure where demand for spring lamb is also weak. A large carryover of hoggets has also impacted negatively on the spring lamb trade.

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Value for money crucial for Tier 1

To be successful with an application to Tier 1 of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme, an applicant must have included proposed project costs that were lower than DAERA’s reference price for eligible items.

With the cut-off set at over 74 points, in the end only 1,500 out of the original 3,500 applicants received a letter of offer.

Assuming that an applicant met all the various criteria – a band one item (40 points), applied online (11 points), were under 40 years old (5 points), had a level two qualification (5 points), they still had to go in at a price well below the estimate to be successful.

In total up to 39 points were available for items that cost up to 20% below DAERA’s reference price.

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Doran steps down at RHANI

Michael Doran has stepped down as both director and chairman of the Renewable Heat Association for NI, the group representing non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive claimants.

RHANI have said that Doran wants to focus on his role as managing director of Action Renewables. He has been replaced as chairman of RHANI by Andrew Trimble, former chief executive of the Bar Council, the regulatory and professional body for barristers in NI.

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