Animal welfare compliance increases

The number of farms in NI that had to be inspected for animal welfare compliance following a complaint more than halved in 2017, the latest statistics from DAERA indicate.

In 2017, DAERA officials inspected 106 farms following complaints (anonymous or otherwise), compared to 226 inspections the year before.

Over 80% of the farms inspected were found to be compliant with animal welfare rules. There were 21 farms where a breach was detected, however, no animals had to be seized by officials during 2017.

There were also 1,330 site inspections by DAERA officials for animal welfare requirements during 2017 which were made up of both risk-based and randomly selected farms. The overall compliance rate was 94%, which was up 4% year on year.

NI agri food on honours list

The chief executive of John Thompson and Sons, Declan Billington, was among those named on the Queen’s new year honours list last week. The former chair of the NI Food and Drink Association is to receive an MBE for services to economic development in NI.

Awarded an OBE for services to agriculture is current AgriSearch chair, and former head of agricultural relations at Danske Bank, John Henning. Also in receipt of an OBE is the former chief executive of DAERA’s Forest Service, Malcolm Beatty.

YFCU to hold agri conference

The Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) is holding a full-day conference on Saturday 26 January 2019 under the theme “shaping our agri-culture”.

Those attending the event at La Mon Hotel in Belfast also have the choice of three farm walks in the morning, to either the sheep farm of John and Billy Martin, the dairy farm of Roger McCracken or Neil Patterson’s arable and poultry farm.

A range of workshops will take place after lunch and the event will close with a dinner in the evening, with guest speaker Alan Jagoe, former president of Macra na Feirme and CEJA.

The event costs £35 for YFCU members, £45 for an Ulster Farmers’ Union members and £55 for non-members. Places can be booked by calling YFCU headquarters on 02890 370 713.

National debate needed on UK food

The UK government must recognise the strategical importance of farming and food in 2019, National Farmers’ Union president Minette Batters has said.

“I want 2019 to be the start of a national conversation with those who have an interest in homegrown food – farmers and growers, processors, retailers, policymakers and the British people,” Batters said in her new year message.

“We are being presented with a unique opportunity to shape our food policy and ensure our food security for generations to come, and it’s a chance we must grab with both hands,” she said.

The need for clarity on how Brexit will impact UK agriculture was raised by Batters in her statement and also by Ulster Farmers’ Union president Ivor Ferguson in his new year message.

Ferguson said that profitability remains an issue for many NI farmers, particularly in arable, beef and sheep sectors. “Farmers who work hard and produce such a high-quality product deserve better. The new year needs to bring more certainty for these farmers,” he said.

Fallen stock charges unchanged

The 2019 list of prices for fallen animal collection and disposal sent out to members of the National Fallen Stock Company (NFSCo) in NI shows that prices for bovine animals are mostly unchanged from 2018.

Three collectors are listed: Linergy, Foyle Proteins and SC Hanna, with prices for the collection of dead cows remaining around the £100 mark. Farmers can deliver direct to Linergy in Dungannon, at a reduced cost of £66 per cow, which is also unchanged from 2018.

For calves under one month, disposal costs between £12 and £13.50, although all collectors have a minimum collection charge of £30, while a calf brought to Linergy costs £10.