No compensation for AFBI breach

There is no compensation fund in place for farmers affected by a data breach at the Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has said.

Last month, it emerged that up to 290 farmers had their personal information released in error by AFBI, as part of a response to a freedom of information request. In a written question to Minister Muir, which was answered on Monday, Ulster Unionist MLA Diana Armstrong asked if compensation will be paid to those affected by the breach.

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“AFBI does not have a compensation scheme in relation to the data breach. AFBI will continue to engage with those affected to address queries and concerns on a case-by-case basis,” Muir responded.

Half of UK farms have no succession

Almost half of UK farmers surveyed by NFU Mutual have no plan in place for handing over their farm to the next generation.

The survey results show that 18% of farmers said it was important to put plans in place for the future of their business, but acknowledged that they had done nothing about it so far.

A further 32% of respondents said they did not believe drawing up a plan was relevant or important to them. However, the proportion of farmers that have succession plans in place has increased from 27% in 2020 to 38% in the most recent survey conducted this year.

The 2025 survey also found that 70% of farmers said they had a pension and 64% had investments and savings.

GPS equipment stolen from farms

GPS equipment has been stolen from tractors on NI farms in recent weeks, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU). UFU legislation chair David McCracken is urging farmers to review security measures and remove GPS equipment from farm machinery when it is not in use.

“Farmers should also take photographs of the kit, record serial numbers and activate pin numbers to help recover the kit should it be stolen,” McCracken said.

“You can also mark the GPS devices so that they are no longer attractive for resale by adding a postcode or farm name,” he added.

Woodland grant scheme re-opens

The small woodland grant scheme has re-opened in NI and is set to close for applications on 7 January 2026. The scheme is available for establishing new native woodlands in areas of 0.2ha and larger.

The grant initiative provides up to £6,425/ha for establishment costs and annual payments over a 10-year period.

Wool price at nine-year high

The latest British Wool auction on 4 November achieved the highest average prices in nine years, with the average auction price at £1.21/kg, compared to £1/kg last season.

“All core types are now trading at significantly higher levels than last season. If current trends continue, our members can expect stronger returns in the year ahead,” said Andrew Hogley, the chief executive of British Wool.