Debate contribution: The draft Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
Debate contribution by Mr John Blair on .
- MLA
- Mr John Blair
- Party at the time
- Alliance 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 4806802
Read the official Assembly record
Text
As a member of the AERA Committee and as Alliance's AERA spokesperson, I speak in support of the new farm sustainability regulations. It has been discussed and recognised many times in the Chamber and much further afield that the climate crisis is a real threat to our everyday way of life, demands our immediate attention and requires decisive action. Farmers are particularly affected, facing increasingly severe weather patterns all year round, for example. If the regulations are approved today, it will be part of a bigger piece of work. It will mark a pivotal moment for our farming community as we seek to strike a critical balance between supporting our farmers and addressing the urgent demands of environmental protection. Agriculture continues to remain at the heart of our economy, our culture and our communities. Yet, as we confront the escalating challenges of climate change and the decline of our natural resources, the relationship between agriculture and the environment has taken on increased significance. The regulations being discussed today present us with an opportunity to establish schemes that not only sustain our agriculture sector but promote sustainable practices that are designed to benefit our environment for generations to come. By embedding sustainability in the foundations of agricultural support, we are not merely encouraging farmers to adopt positive practices; we are empowering them to become true custodians of the land on which we all depend. That will improve soil health, advance biodiversity, enhance water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, these measures, if passed, would see the introduction of various initiatives, such as the beef carbon reduction scheme, the Farming with Nature transition scheme and the soil nutrient health scheme. Those are themes that we have previously discussed here and at the Committee. It is important to highlight that the regulations also support our young farmers, who are essential to our agricultural future. Their passion and ability to care for our natural world need our support and encouragement. Additionally, the proposed farm sustainability programme incorporates initiatives that assist farm families in preparing for the transfer of their businesses to the next generation. The pilot schemes associated with that have been mentioned. I thank the Minister for his hard work in ensuring that the regulations have been brought together with these themes and tabled for us to speak to today. I also thank the departmental officials for the patience that they have demonstrated as the Committee has worked its way through the proposals, going right back, as was mentioned, to May of last year. The Committee has been informed in detail that the Department, when creating the sustainable agriculture programme, worked closely with key agriculture and environment stakeholders. That collaboration has involved input from the Ulster Farmers' Union, the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association and the Northern Ireland Environment Link, thereby guaranteeing that a variety of perspectives are represented. The AERA Minister has demonstrated his commitment to the agriculture sector by securing Executive approval to protect farm funding. That represents a major win for our farming community and our natural environment. Northern Ireland is the sole devolved region of the UK to achieve that, which underscores the importance of farming to our economy, our environment and, importantly, our food security.
In conclusion, I urge all Members to support the regulations. By doing so, we can craft a vision for the future of farming in Northern Ireland in which financial viability and environmental sustainability coexist harmoniously. That goal is ambitious, yes, but it is necessary if we are to secure a more sustainable future for our farms, our environment and our communities. Ultimately, we must move ahead with the measures, as progress hinges on our willingness to embrace change. I therefore support the SR.
622 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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