Debate contribution: The Animals (Identification, Records, Movement and Enforcement) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025: Prayer of Annulment

Debate contribution by Ms Sian Mulholland on 24 February 2025.

MLA: Ms Sian Mulholland
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 24 February 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: The Animals (Identification, Records, Movement and Enforcement) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025: Prayer of Annulment
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4813531

Text

Like my colleague, I oppose the prayer of annulment, because it is not in the best interests of any farmer, food producer or rural community in Northern Ireland, including the rural community that I represent in North Antrim. This is not about sovereignty or ideology but about food safety, consumer confidence and ensuring that our agrisector continues to thrive. I cannot help but question why the prayer of annulment motion was tabled and what the end goal is, because it really is not about strengthening our economy or supporting our communities. It is not about helping farmers in North Antrim or anywhere else in Northern Ireland. It is about appealing to a narrow political base rather than acting in the best interests of the people whom we are here to serve, and that is negligence. It is pure, short-sighted short-termism at its worst. The DUP is using farmers as a political football. Some Members are putting ideology over practical governance and what is best for our farmers. How can we expect Northern Ireland to thrive if we continually sabotage our ability to function? In my constituency, farming is not just an industry but a way of life. Generations of families have worked the land, built their businesses and provided food not just for local markets but for GB, Ireland and well beyond. They want certainty, not disruption. They want opportunities to grow, not unnecessary trade barriers. They want to thrive, not just survive. The statutory rule is about ensuring that Northern Ireland's farmers can continue to trade with confidence, maintain access to markets and uphold, as has been mentioned, world-class food safety standards. The SR does not create new policy. It ensures that our domestic laws remain functional by aligning them with EU animal health law. The SR is restoring essential enforcement powers, powers that ensure that our farmers can comply with the necessary food safety and traceability rules without any uncertainty or risk. As has been said, one of the key technical changes required by the animal health law is the use of XI ear tags rather than UK tags. Let me be clear: that is not an attack on our place in the UK; it is about ensuring that Northern Ireland's exports can be distinguished from GB's so that we maintain compliance with EU food safety standards. It is a common-sense measure that allows our farmers to continue to trade freely rather than face unnecessary barriers. The issue should not be political: it is practical. The Minister is working to help farmers thrive in every market to ensure that farming communities have the certainty, sustainability and support that they need. There has been a lot of scaremongering about the issue. There is nothing to fear if we continue to follow the rules by which we should already be abiding. If the SR is annulled, we will remove DAERA's ability to enforce livestock identification laws, creating further uncertainty for farmers. We will undermine our food safety and traceability standards, damage Northern Ireland's reputation in key markets and risk additional trade barriers if NI's livestock sector is seen to be non-compliant. Stripping away the enforcement powers would be reckless and would put ideology over food safety, jobs and the future of our farmers. Farming in North Antrim is at the heart of our economy and our way of life. The Minister and I want to support, protect and enhance the opportunities for our farmers around the world. The SR provides certainty and ensures that our farmers can trade, our food remains safe and our agricultural system and industry remain strong. Ultimately, it is about maintaining farm-to-fork traceability, as others have said. That is the bedrock on which our agri-food industry is based and on which it trades, and it ensures consumer confidence. The prayer of annulment is not political leadership; it is political point-scoring at the expense of the very people whom the Assembly is meant to serve. I urge all Members to reject the prayer of annulment and stand with our farmers, our food producers and our rural communities.

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

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