Solutions are needed to address the growing disconnect between primary producers and consumers, the chair of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agriculture Science (NIIAS) has said.

Declan McDevitt said incorrect perceptions of food production systems are among the core causes of a widening gap between the general public and farmers.

“Many people think that farms are small businesses that haven’t changed much over time and simply produce food for their locality, when, in reality, farming is a highly technical and capital-intensive industry that is vital to the Northern Ireland economy,” the NIIAS chair said.

Misinformation

McDevitt said misinformation coming from certain quarters about farming is a fundamental part of the problem. He also said the disconnect can run two ways in that many farmers are becoming increasingly detached from their end market.

The comments were made ahead of the institute’s annual conference where a discussion is planned to take place surrounding the consumer-producer divide.

Advocating agriculture

Speakers at the event include Kildare dairy farmer and Nuffield scholar Brian Rushe, and Asda NI corporate affairs manager Joe McDonald.

The event has the theme Advocating Agriculture: Closing the Consumer-Producer divide and will take place in the Hilton Hotel near Templepatrick, Co Antrim, on Thursday 15 February from 6.30pm.

The conference starts at 6.30pm and registration costs £20 for NIIAS members, £25 for non-members and £10 for students.

Places should be booked before Monday 12 February by contacting Eileen McCloskey via email at secretary@niias.co.uk or ringing/texting 0044 781 806 0290.

Read more

UFU to take on vegans over dairy

A nation divided by meat