Lawson takes CEO role at NIGTA

It is understood that Aileen Lawson, the assistant policy manager at the Ulster Farmers’ Union has been successful in a competition to replace Gill Gallagher as the chief executive of the NI Grain Trade Association (NIGTA).

Gallagher has been in the role since October 2021, but indicated earlier this year her intention to step down this summer. She will be replaced by Lawson, who has spent nearly 25 years with the UFU, mainly working on environmental issues impacting farmers.

NIPSA on vet pay

Representatives from the public service union NIPSA, are due to brief members of the Stormont Agriculture committee today (Thursday) amid an ongoing dispute around pay and grading of staff.

More than 30 vets are involved in the dispute, with industrial action commencing on 1 May and intensifying from 1 June when DAERA vets withdrew from on-farm TB testing and a range of other duties.

NI farming takes rising share of GHGs

The latest statistical bulletin published by DAERA shows that agriculture in 2024 had the most greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of any sector and is now responsible for over 31% of the NI total.

That compares to a 1990 baseline when the agriculture share stood at 20%, but since then only agriculture and domestic transport have seen their total emissions rise, up 10% and 9.2% respectively over the period.

Since 1990 a switch away from coal fired power stations has helped the likes of electricity supply cut its emissions by nearly 63%, while emissions from industry are down 69.4%. Overall, since 1990 GHG emissions in NI have dropped 29.4%., with this figure virtually unchanged when compared to 2023. To be on track to achieve a 2050 net zero GHG target set by NI politicians in 2022, emissions need to be down by 48% in 2030 and 77% lower in 2040.

Those targets look increasingly unrealistic, with any contribution coming from agriculture constrained by the fact 74% of emissions is due to methane, mainly from ruminant animals. As well as being difficult to reduce without cutting livestock numbers, methane is part of a natural cycle, yet the current accounting system assesses it in the same way as the burning of fossil fuel.

Views sought on farrowing research

Pig researchers at AFBI have invited NI pig farmers to share their experiences on the challenge of transitioning away from traditional farrowing crates.

A DAERA-funded project at AFBI is currently looking at alternative farrowing methods, and what system might be best suited to NI conditions. The aim is to ensure that any transition is based on robust evidence rather than trial and error.

Any farmers interested in being involved in a discussion group or survey should email altfarrow@afbini.gov.uk.