Slaughterhouse CCTV law approved by MLAs

A new law which makes it mandatory for abattoirs in NI to have CCTV in operation was approved by the NI Assembly on Monday.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir acknowledged that the majority of slaughterhouses in NI already have CCTV, but said the new law would set clearer rules on its operation.

“[It] will require all slaughterhouses in NI to install and operate CCTV in all areas in which live animals are present, including unloading, lairage, handling, stunning and killing areas,” he said.

The Alliance MLA said the legislation would improve animal welfare standards and bring NI into line with other UK regions where similar laws are already in place.

“There will be a six-month implementation period before the enforcement provisions take effect, allowing operators sufficient time to make any necessary adjustments,” Minister Muir said.

Over 3,500 entitlements expire under new rule

The new historic years rule for the Farm Sustainability Payment led to 3,611 entitlements being lost, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has confirmed.

In response to a question from Sinn Fein MLA Philip McGuigan, Minister Muir said the total number of confiscated entitlements equates to 0.4% of all entitlements in NI. The historic years rule came into effect in 2026 and required landowners to transfer their entitlements to an active farm business if they had no agricultural activity in 2020 or 2021.

“I can confirm that of the 1,921 original businesses affected by the historic years exercise, the majority of those businesses transferred their entitlements ahead of the 15 May deadline, ensuring that a large proportion of these entitlements remained in circulation,” Minister Muir said.

Ai Services team to merge with Cogent

The technician and sales team within Ai Services is to merge with Cogent under a proposed new operating model between the two livestock genetics companies in NI.

The agreement follows on from a separate arrangement in June 2025 which saw the two companies share storage and distribution facilities for semen.

The new arrangement is to come into place from 17 July 2026 and will affect 21 technician and sales roles within Ai Services.

The partnership will trade as “Cogent Ai Services” and will be directed by a joint steering committee representing the two companies.

The new Ai Services bull stud at Ballycraigy in Co Antrim and the company’s ownership of the Tipperary based Eurogene business is not affected by the new arrangement.

Muir wants to meet Sofina on pig contracts

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has requested a meeting with representatives from Sofina Foods about its decision not to renew supply contracts with local pig farms.

In response to a written question from East Antrim MLA John Stewart, Minister Muir said DAERA officials have been engaging with the affected pig producers.

“I have written to Sofina Foods to request a meeting to gain an understanding of the rationale behind the decision not to renew contracts with a number of independent family pig farms,” he said.

“There are currently no plans for an additional financial support package, but I will continue to monitor the situation,” he added.

Suckler payments issued to NI farmers

Payments under the first year of the Suckler Cow Scheme have been issued to NI farmers.

DAERA began issuing payments last Thursday (25 June), with most money arriving in farm bank accounts at the start of this week.

The department said that £13.3m was issued on the first day, which equates to 98.6% of eligible farm businesses and covers 133,091 calving events.

With 15% of eligible suckler farmers not opting into the scheme in year one, DAERA have pointed out that the one-off opt in process remains open for these farmers in year two.

The eligibility criteria have tightened for the second year of the Suckler Cow Scheme, which began on 1 April 2026.

The maximum age at first calving is now 32 months and the maximum calving interval is 405 days, which compares to 34 months and 415 days in year one.

GrassCheck farm walk in Greyabbey next week

AgriSearch are holding a GrassCheck event on the sheep farm of John and Alexander Martin on Thursday 9 July from 7pm.

The farm walk will focus on how data recording is influencing decision making on grassland management, flock performance and farm profitability.

Local vet Cormac White will also discuss parasite monitoring and management.

The free event takes place 93 Newtownards Road, Greyabbey, Co Down. Pre-registration is not required.