Debate contribution: The draft Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
Debate contribution by Mr Justin McNulty on .
- MLA
- Mr Justin McNulty
- Party at the time
- Social Democratic and Labour Party
- Date
- 18 February 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- The draft Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4806776
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I rise to speak on the farm support and development programme and the Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025. The statutory rule, laid by the AERA Minister, represents a key moment in the North's agricultural transition. It will provide the legal authority to implement the farm sustainability transition payments, moving us away from the EU's basic payment scheme, which has been a cornerstone of our agriculture policy for many years. The introduction of the farm sustainability transition payment will pave the way for the farm sustainability payment, which is expected to be fully implemented in 2026. The farm sustainability transition payment is not merely a financial support mechanism; it is part of the sustainable agriculture programme that the Minister announced on 20 January. That marks a shift in our approach to agriculture to one that emphasises environmental sustainability, productivity and the resilience of farm businesses. As we make that transition, we must look at a broad, long-term vision for a more sustainable and future-proofed agriculture sector. The farm sustainability transition payment is designed to replace, as I said, the current EU basic payment scheme, which has been a lifeline for our farming businesses. Approximately 24,000 farm businesses will be eligible for the payments. Eligibility is not automatic, however. Only farm businesses that were actively engaged in agricultural production in 2020-21 will qualify. Hopefully, that will ensure that the support reaches those who have been directly contributing. If a farm business does not meet the specific agricultural production levels during the reference period, it will, unfortunately, not be eligible for payments. The Minister has already said that 1,900 businesses will not qualify. I would like more information on that, and I have asked a question for written answer to that effect, Minister. The Minister also mentioned succession planning and generational renewal. He will recognise that the elephant in the room or the bucking bullock in the room is obviously the inheritance tax on farmland, which has caused all sorts of consternation in farming families. As has been mentioned, the payment is temporary, as it will be replaced by the farm sustainability payment in 2026. The transition payment will, however, play an essential bridging role in helping farmers navigate the changes from the old EU system to the new UK framework. On the issue of funding, it is important to note that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has been given the flexibility to adjust payments within the scheme. That flexibility reduces the risk of unspent funds returning to the UK Treasury and will hopefully ensure that the agriculture budget is fully utilised in the North. The statutory rule is part of a broader shift that aligns with the sustainable agriculture programme, which aims to improve productivity, support environmental sustainability, strengthen farm business resilience and promote generational renewal in the sector. In October 2024, the SDLP secured an important amendment to a Sinn Féin motion. The amendment called for proper consideration of rural development programme funding in agriculture allocations. As many Members will be aware, there is a pressing need for funding to address the environmental challenges that we face, particularly with Lough Neagh. The environmental impact of agriculture in areas around Lough Neagh must be a priority, and we need financial backing for action plans to enhance farming practices that are in harmony with the environment. The statutory rule is expected to pass without a Division, but that does not mean that we should not take the opportunity to make some critical points. In particular, I challenge the Alliance Party on the proposed structure of the agriculture policy. Given its pro-environment and pro-European stance, it is vital that it be held to account over how that policy compares with the EU's common agricultural policy. It is concerning to note that, in the current proposals, the draft Northern Ireland Budget significantly underfunds rural development priorities, including environmental schemes and support for community-based projects. According to estimates, as little as 4·4% of the Budget is allocated to rural development, compared with 22% under the EU's common agricultural policy. That is a clear divergence from the EU framework and runs contrary to the amendment that we secured in October, which called for a Budget that delivers on rural priorities. That divergence is significant, especially when we consider Alliance's supposed pro-EU stance. If it is truly committed to European values, surely we should see it fight harder to ensure that our agriculture policy —.
Of course, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thought that I was —.
While the statutory rule is expected to pass, the Opposition have a role in challenging the aspects of it that, we believe, may not serve our farmers' long-term needs. Rural development and environmental funding must remain priorities. We will continue to push for that and hold all parties to account for their actions or, in this case, their lack of action. I support the farm support and development programme and the Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations. We must, however, be clear-eyed about the policy's shortcomings and its future implications for our rural communities and for the environment. It is our responsibility to ensure that future generations of farmers in the North have the support that they need in order to thrive in a challenging agricultural landscape and that our environmental goals are never compromised for the sake of short-term expediency.
894 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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