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The Ulster Farmers’ Union’s (UFU) support for Theresa May’s draft Brexit withdrawal agreement was widely discussed at the first of the union’s six roadshows being held across NI this month.
In Enniskillen on Monday, UFU president Ivor Ferguson reiterated that the union’s position had been formed after meetings of the executive committee, board and sub-groups of grassroots members.
“No matter what processor we talked to, their view was the same that a no-deal was a disaster. They are the ones involved in trade every day. We have to take comfort in that we are not on our own,” he added.
Views from the floor in Enniskillen ranged from those advocating a no-deal Brexit, to calls for remaining in the EU through a second referendum.
“We, as an organisation, respect the outcome of the referendum. At this stage, as far as we are concerned, we are leaving the EU, unless things start to change at a UK-wide level,” UFU chief executive Wesley Aston said.
He pointed out that there are only two options (deal or no-deal) on the table at present, but added that the UFU would consider another Brexit deal if it emerges in the future.
“This is about us supporting you as our members and, economically, we cannot let you go into a no-deal scenario,” Aston said.
Quality assurance
Other items also discussed at the event included the roll-out of unannounced quality assurance inspections for participants that are found with non-compliances during routine audits.
The pig sector in NI has already followed Red Tractor in Britain and introduced unannounced inspections, with poultry and dairy Red Tractor schemes thought to be next.
UFU deputy president David Brown outlined how one local farmer who had four minor non-compliances in a routine audit was subsequently notified that he will receive an unannounced inspection within 12 months.
“Potentially 80% of dairy farmers [in NI] would fall into this category [and trigger an unannounced inspection]. There is a bit of negotiation still to be done because it would be a nightmare for farmers to face that sort of scrutiny,” he said.
Brown added that discussions are also taking place among local stakeholders, whether to introduce unannounced inspections for the NI Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme.
“That hasn’t hit yet, we are currently chewing that over,” he said.
Bovine TB
On bovine TB, Brown said there had been “little or no” progress on eradication since the NI Assembly collapsed in January 2016 and a badger cull would not be introduced in NI without an agriculture minister in place at Stormont.
“The civil servants are unlikely to make a decision and the DAERA chief vet is definitely not going to make a decision,” he maintained.
Metal tags
Also speaking at the meeting, UFU Deputy President Victor Chestnutt told members that the department has ruled out re-introducing metal cattle tags.
He has been lobbying for a change that would have allowed farmers the option to use a metal tag in one ear, with a plastic tag in the other.
“Plastic tag quality is pathetic. The amount of tags we have to replace on a daily basis is unacceptable,” he said.
SHARING OPTIONS: