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The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has written to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) seeking a financial aid package similar to the one secured for farmers in the Republic of Ireland.
The Irish Government secured €100m for a Brexit beef package earlier this year.
The UFU has written a letter to deputy director for future farming policy at Defra Guy Horsington.
The letter outlines the severity of low beef prices and calls on the UK government to establish an aid package for beef farmers in Northern Ireland.
Future of beef farms
“Something needs to be done. The UK government has a role to play in ensuring the future of family-run farms is viable," said UFU beef and lamb chair Sam Chesney.
“Northern Ireland beef farmers have watched as the Irish government secured emergency funding of up to €100m to help beef farmers cope with market uncertainty caused by Brexit.
"Without a similar package here, the ROI intervention could potentially distort the UK and EU markets, putting even more pressure on already squeezed farm gate prices in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK,” he said.
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