Debate contribution: Upland Sheep Farmers: Support

Debate contribution by Mrs Cathy Mason on 25 November 2024.

MLA

Mrs Cathy Mason

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

25 November 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Upland Sheep Farmers: Support

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4675127

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I will highlight the urgent need to support sheep farmers, not only in areas such as the Mournes and Slieve Croob in South Down but right across the North and, indeed, across Ireland. Sheep farming is a vital industry that sustains livelihoods, maintains our rural communities and preserves the unique landscapes that we share, yet the sector faces growing challenges that demand action from all of us. On this island, farming has always been at the heart of our economy and culture. In the North alone, there are two million sheep, contributing to an agri-food sector that is worth approximately £5 billion. In the South of Ireland, sheep farming is similarly significant, with farmers benefiting from a dedicated sheep scheme that provides targeted support. That scheme has created a competitive imbalance that has left the North's farmers at a disadvantage in what is an already difficult economic climate. Brexit has clearly compounded the challenges. The loss of EU agriculture funding has left a gap that policies here have struggled to fill. Farmers in the South continue to benefit from CAP funding and from schemes that support diversification and innovation while, in the North, our sheep farmers face the stark reality of reduced payments and limited targeted support. That imbalance must be addressed urgently. Data from DAERA shows that the total income from farming in the North fell by 44% in 2023. That reflects the significant challenges for the sector amid rising costs and economic pressures. From 2025, our sheep farmers face losing 17% of their basic payment unless they adapt their practices to include protein crops or to integrate cattle. For many farmers in upland areas such as the Mourne Mountains and Slieve Croob, that is not a viable option, owing to the unsuitability of their land. Those farmers are effectively being punished for circumstances that are beyond their control. It is both unfair and unsustainable. Sheep farming in the Mournes also plays a critical role in maintaining our shared environment. Grazing sheep help manage upland vegetation. They support biodiversity and sustain the landscape that is the cornerstone of much of our tourism industry. Far from being at odds with environmental protection, sustainable sheep farming can complement our climate goals and contribute to a balanced ecosystem. Beyond its economic and environmental contributions, however, sheep farming is a social lifeline. Livestock marts in Hilltown and Saintfield, for example, are not just places of trade but hubs where farmers gather, connect and support one another. For many in isolated rural areas, those interactions are crucial for mental health and well-being. We must work together to ensure that farmers on both sides of the border have the tools that they need in order to thrive. The Minister must act to establish a sheep scheme that provides direct support for farmers and levels the playing field with the South. Sheep farming is so much more than just an economic activity. It is a way of life that sustains our communities, landscapes and heritage. We must ensure a future in which sheep farming continues to thrive and to contribute to the economy, environment and identity of the entire island of Ireland.

526 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:40 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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