NI Farm Welfare Bill poised for final push at Stormont

After more than a decade of hard work and perseverance, Northern Ireland’s farmers are hopeful that the Farm Welfare Bill will finally move forward in the Stormont Assembly.

The bill, which seeks to ensure farmers receive a fair price for their produce, could be a game-changer for the sector, according to Sean McAuley, a key figure at the Farmers For Action (FFA) lobby group.

The Northern Ireland Farm Welfare Bill (opens as PDF), which was first suggested in 2013, is designed to guarantee that farmers receive a minimum price for their goods – linked to the true cost of production and inflation – plus a margin.

See also: Hopes raised for NI Farm Welfare Bill with Stormont reset

Mr McAuley, who sits on FFA’s steering committee, said: “If enacted, the bill would be a game-changer for Northern Ireland.

“It would return farmers a minimum of the true cost of production, inflation-linked, plus a margin, for their produce.

“For example, the current milk price of around 44p/litre should be almost 60p, and beef, currently at £5.90kg, should be nearly £8.50/kg.”

The bill’s journey has been a long one. After years of collaborative work from various farm organisations, it was ready to be enacted in 2016. However, the collapse of Stormont’s power-sharing agreement and subsequent political challenges delayed progress.

In the years that followed, the bill was adjusted to account for changing priorities, including reducing unnecessary food imports and minimising the carbon footprint of imported produce that is not needed.

“After serious concerns about climate change erupted between 2016 and 2020, we adjusted the bill to prevent unnecessary imports of produce to Northern Ireland that is already in surplus, such as beef and lamb,” explained FFA Northern Ireland spokesman William Taylor.

Bill sidelined by Covid

By 2020, after a return of power-sharing at Stormont, Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone introduced a draft bill to the Agriculture Committee at Stormont for the first time. However, its progress was sidelined by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now, with the NI Assembly restored, Mr McAuley is urging lawmakers to act swiftly.

“Stormont must take the enactment of this bill very seriously,” he said. “The world’s problems continue to mount, from climate change affecting farmers to the financial pressures they face due to corporate retailers and processors.

“Without intervention, many family farms may not survive.”

As inflation continues to rise and support for farmers dwindles, FFA believes the Farm Welfare Bill offers the vital lifeline that Northern Ireland’s agricultural sector needs.

It says the bill’s potential passage in this legislative session offers farmers a “glimmer of hope for the future”, though its fate awaits the outcome of the Agriculture Committee at Stormont, if they are willing to take it forward.

As lobbying continues, Farmers Weekly understands that meetings are due to be held next week between members of FFA, the umbrella organisation NI Farm Groups, and representatives of some of Northern Ireland’s political parties.