We put a series of questions to the five main parties ahead of the election. Below is a summary of the responses received.

Policies

What policies would you pursue to ensure that the agri-food sector in NI is not irrevocably damaged by Brexit?

DUP: We do not believe that there is any case to say that agriculture may be “irrevocably damaged by Brexit”.

While we believe that we should put in place trading arrangements that are mutually beneficial with the remaining 27 EU countries, we also see opportunities for reorientation of product to the British market. We believe that there is also the political will to see as free a border as possible with the Irish Republic.

Sinn Féin: We will use all the political strength at our disposal to press for the best possible deal for the six counties –within the political institutions, campaigning with the community and in direct talks with the British and Irish governments.

Cross-border trade on the island of Ireland is a key part of our economy, and the two governments must make every provision for the least amount of disruption possible. We will be reminding the governments of this at every point.

UUP: Ensuring that the cross-border supply chains are not disrupted post-Brexit is a challenge that requires a practical, workable solution. Technology has a part to play and learning from other examples is key.

SDLP: Preventing the emergence of a hard border across the island of Ireland is a key priority for the SDLP. Central to our approach is retaining access to the four freedoms which we currently enjoy as members of the European Union and its single market. This of course includes the free movement of goods.

Alliance: We are concerned that agriculture and agri-food is much more important to NI’s economy than to the English economy. Alliance has been clear – the only sustainable solution is for special status for NI. This would enable us to retain access to the single market and ensure free movement of goods and people across the border.

Trade deals

What will you do to ensure that NI farmers are not sacrificed in UK trade deals with non-EU countries?

DUP: We believe that UK producers should be protected from imports from non-EU countries, particularly for sensitive products. This could be done either by introducing tariffs on non-EU origin products or placing quotas on imports from non-EU destinations. Nothing should be imported into the UK of a lower standard than that expected from UK farmers.

Sinn Féin: Our farmers’ produce must not be sacrificed in the making of trade deals with the EU and beyond.

UUP: It is vital that politicians and the local industry continue to make a positive case for safeguarding local producers. We are not anti-trade but there needs to be a level playing field.

SDLP: Farmers in NI have been left unforgivably exposed by the result of the referendum. Our rural context, land ownership model, climate and access routes to markets are all substantially different to England, Scotland or Wales. These unique local factors must be represented within any future negotiations.

Alliance: It is not possible to promise that farmers will be protected given the concentration on financial services in the City of London and similar sectors.

Support

How should support be directed to farmers post-Brexit?

DUP: Support should be targeted to help improve the productivity of the sector and make farmers more profitable. Support needs to ensure that the sector becomes more environmentally sustainable by improving water and air quality. We believe that the funding of the recently published land management strategy would be a good basis for directing support. A scheme needs to be introduced that helps NI farmers to deal with volatility in market prices.

Sinn Féin: Whatever new agriculture policy is introduced by the British government in the future, we will be standing up for our farmers – they must continue to be funded to make farming a viable industry and lifestyle, and there must be equality – there cannot be any return to a two-tier system in farming, based on payments on the basis of production. Protecting and improving our environment must be rewarded by payments under any new system, while neglect and criminality such as pollution and illegal waste dumping must be punished.

UUP: UK farmers should continue to receive direct support post-Brexit. More workable agri-environment schemes developed specifically to suit the UK’s particular landscape and climate should also play an important part in the future. A transitional period is needed to allow the industry to adjust to new arrangements.

SDLP: Our agriculture spokesperson Patsy McGlone has already convened a series of conferences and meetings focusing on the needs of farmers in NI in light of a Brexit and we will continue to raise these factors within the European institutions and among our sister parties across Europe.

Alliance: Alliance believes that supporting our farmers is an imperative for the executive. Regardless of the outcome of this scenario, we will push for:

  • Securing membership of the EU’s single market and customs union.
  • Farming support is prioritised for smaller- and medium-sized family farms.
  • Paying agricultural support monies up front to ease farmers’ cashflow.
  • Directing a greater proportion of resources to farmers who operate environmentally sustainable farming methods.
  • Regulations

    Farmers were promised a ‘bonfire of red tape’ by Brexit campaigners. What specific rules and regulations would your party seek to amend or cut?

    DUP: There are many rules that can be amended once the UK leaves the EU. Two examples include dates for the spreading of organic manures and rules surrounding land eligibility for basic payments.

    Sinn Féin: All regulations and measures should be proportionate, commonsense and as easy as possible to implement. In the future, there may be scope to examine what we have inherited from the EU but the fact that we will be seeking to export our produce to the EU and beyond logically means that we will be expected to adhere to the same level of regulation as exists in those countries at present.

    UUP: Brexit means an end to this one-size-fits all approach to policy and is an opportunity, in theory at least, to develop agricultural and environmental policies that suit NI’s agricultural industry, landscape and climate.

    The UUP will seek a lifting of the closed slurry spreading period, and any other areas where there is considerable scope for simplification and reducing unnecessary farm bureaucracy.

    SDLP: Many of the promises made by those campaigning for a Brexit have already been widely discredited. The SDLP believes that a continuous review of regulations is best practice.

    Alliance: Alliance made no promise like this given that many European regulations may continue to be applied if the UK leaves the EU. However, we have always sought to reduce the regulatory burden where possible, in particular around gold-plating of regulations by the NI Executive.

    Climate change

    Do you think that NI requires specific climate change legislation?

    DUP: No, NI does not need specific climate change legislation but can continue to play its part in terms of UK wide targets.

    Sinn Féin: We are in favour of climate change legislation for the north. A cross departmental committee on climate change advised that a climate change legislation was appropriate to ensure the north meets it’s targets. Legislation is in place in Scotland and Wales and in the Republic of Ireland.

    UUP: In the absence of NI-specific legislation, we remain committed to reducing our carbon emissions in line with the UK’s legal commitments.

    We are aware, however, of some aspiration locally for a NI-specific climate change act. We therefore would commission a scoping study on the potential benefits of a dedicated NI Act.

    SDLP: The SDLP believes local climate change legislation is appropriate. However, the benefits of any specific legislation would only become apparent if legislation is introduced without adding undue additional costs on to farmers or the public purse.

    Alliance: Yes. Alliance is a pro-environment party. We believe that man-made climate change is real and has potentially disastrous consequences for human existence on earth.

    Payments

    Would your party seek to re-instate payments to farmers in ANC areas?

    DUP: The DUP does not support taking money from basic payments in order to fund an ANC payment. We do, however, believe that there should be support for those who are farming more remote areas to prevent land abandonment and ensure that the environment is protected. This needs to be reflected in the new support arrangements post-Brexit.

    Sinn Féin: The ANC supports farming in less favoured areas. The reduction in 2017 and removal in 2018 of the ANC payments as announced by the minister, will have a major effect on farmers in those areas. We believe the ANC payments should continue for the current CAP period.

    UUP: Farms in ANC areas are a key part of the NI agricultural industry. In terms of payments specifically for farms, in ANC areas we keep an open mind.

    SDLP: The SDLP believes it is important that the farming and rural way of life is safeguarded.

    Alliance: Alliance believes that future agricultural support will have to include a measure of ANC support given the importance of such areas to the entire agricultural economy.