Write a comment
DAERA’s confirmation of an indiscriminate badger cull in Northern Ireland has been countered with severe criticism from Northern Ireland animal welfare charity, the USPCA. Today’s announcement, 24 March, saw the Department’s approval of the shooting of this protected species – a method which would be led by farmers as a means to ‘effectively’ tackle the prevalence of bovine TB in cattle.
The development comes following lengthy campaigning from the Charity and other animal/environmental organisations – including a petition in opposition to the cull which garnered the support of over 10,000 signatories and was presented to the Assembly.
USPCA Chief Executive, Brendan Mullan, said, “This cull is completely unacceptable and unjustifiable – we have pointed repeatedly to roadkill statistics and DAERA’s own TVR research project which indicates that 4 out of 5 badgers do not have TB. The Department’s actions will see the killing of thousands of healthy badgers and will be seen as nothing other than a wildlife catastrophe for Northern Ireland.
“We are of the view that this decision lacks the adoption of emerging science and research in tackling the disease. A recent study published in the official journal of the British Veterinary Association provided an extensive analysis of bTB incidence in England over an 11-year period and determined that, despite the culling of over 140,000 badgers, ‘government data failed to identify any meaningful effect of the cull’ on the prevalence of the disease in herds.”
The announcement today also included reference to ‘ensuring that high welfare standards are adhered to’ when carrying out the free shooting of badgers. Brendan commented, “The Westminster government’s own Independent Expert branded recent culls in England as ‘inhumane and ineffective’. In fact, the same panel also highlighted just how inhumane this method is and how much unthinkable suffering it causes – more than 20% of badgers shot took up to five minutes to die. In no society should this be acceptable.”
“Ultimately, a much more proportionate and humane approach is Trap, Vaccinate or Remove (TVR) – DAERA’s own research project demonstrated that this is an effective mechanism to reducing TB in badgers, with prevalence reduced from 14% to less than 2%. We are disappointed that this has been rejected on the basis of cost in favour of free shooting,” said Brendan.
DAERA’s initial consultation also cited potential changes to compensation rates and caps for affected farmers. Today it was announced that this review will be delayed for two years.
Brendan commented, “We do not agree that farmers’ should face compensation cuts however we believe that these payments should be contingent on whether farms meet high standards of biosecurity. DAERA’s consultation itself highlighted that ‘poor herd health management and lax biosecurity increases the risk of disease’. Furthermore, references to the compulsory use of interferon gamma blood testing ‘where deemed necessary’ is entirely the wrong approach. Current testing leaves one third of infected cattle in the herd and therefore results in a spiral of reinfection. Bovine TB is a cattle disease and the key actions to tackle it start on the farm – enhanced testing and superior biosecurity standards should be compulsory in all situations.”
“In conclusion, we are incredibly disappointed by DAERA’s decision today – badgers are not the culprit here and we fear in five years-time we will continue to see high prevalence of Bovine TB in herds, despite this cull. Our badger population will suffer gravely as a result and to what end?” added Brendan.
Write a comment
This year the Federation of the Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland will be celebrating their 90th anniversary during this year’s Balmoral Show taking place from Wednesday 11 to Saturday 14 May 2022 at Balmoral Park, Lisburn.
The WI have branches throughout the north with local ones including Rathfriland, Jerrettspass, Loughbrickland, Glenanne, Fourtowns, Mountnorris and Cladymilltown
Being absent from the Show in 2021, the Women’s Institute (WI) is making a welcome return to Balmoral Park and this year, they will move to a new location within Annex Shopping. As always, the WI will showcase their ever-popular art, craft and garden displays along with bakes and treats within the Tea Room itself.
Margaret Broome, WI Chairman commented “The Women’s Institute in Northern Ireland is celebrating its 90th Anniversary this year but has, like the rest of the world, suffered badly from the effects of COVID-19 this past two years.
“We have seen a dramatic drop in membership, loss of premises and closure of some local branches. The W.I. was set up to help rural women and that is still its main aim today, so I would like to encourage women of all ages to join their local branches. Gone is the old ‘Jam and Jerusalem image’ as we bring the W.I. into the 21st century.
She continued “We offer something for everyone. If you love cooking, gardening, flower arranging, baking, crafting - there is something for you and if, like me, you do not there is still plenty to interest you. I have been a member for 44 years and have no talents in any of those pursuits but have loved every minute of my time as a W.I. member. Contact W.I. H.Q. to find you nearest branch or speak to anyone in the W.I. and you will be given a very warm welcome.
“I would like to thank the RUAS for their help and support over the years. Balmoral has always been our showcase event (who doesn’t love a W.I. tea?) and we have been very well catered for. It has also provided us with the income to continue with our work and we are very grateful.”
The Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank will return to Balmoral Park from Wednesday 11th May to Saturday 14thMay 2022. All tickets for the Show must be purchased online at BUY-TICKETS
For the latest updates on the Show visit WWW.BALMORALSHOW.CO.UK or follow Balmoral Show on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Write a comment
On the back of a very successful Farm Family Health Promotion Day held recently in the Fane Valley Store in Altnamackan, the Rural Health Partnership is pleased to confirm more Farm Family Health check days have been secured in the Fane Valley stores in Armagh and Banbridge
On Friday 29 April the Farm Families Health Check Nurses and their mobile Van will be at the Fane Valley store in Armagh. Whilst on Friday 20 May they will be at the Fane Valley Store in Banbridge, from 10am to 3.30pm each day. The Farm Families Health Checks are a free and confidential one stop facility which check Blood Pressure, BMI, Cholesterol, Diabetic Risk Score and Mental Well Being.
The Rural Health Partnership is also pleased to announce that Cancer Focus NI will also be at the stores on both days, raising awareness on Skin Cancer and they will also provide advice and information on how to protect yourself from the sun and harmful UV rays, while working out on the farm. Customers will also be given a small goody bag with items to help protect you against harmful UV rays.
Speaking about the Health Check Days in Store Mr Thomas Barnett Head of Retail at Fane Valley Stores commented “We at Fane Valley stores are looking forward to having the Farm Families Health Check Vehicle and Cancer Focus NI at our stores in Armagh and Banbridge. We recognise the pressures that Farming Families are under right now, with global issues affecting farmers on a day to day basis. Health and Well Being of our customers is a paramount and we are very happy to have this service available locally”
Majella Gollogly Development Officer with the Rural Health Partnership said “ We are delighted to be able to assist Fane Valley Stores with this initiative and encourage Farmers and their Families to avail of this free health check service at their local Fane Valley Store, it could be the best 15 minutes you will ever spend.”
Write a comment
A scheme to help rural micro businesses to sustain, develop and recover from the Covid 19 pandemic will open on the 4 May 2022.
The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme is funded through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme, and will be delivered in partnership with local Councils.
The grant will provide capital assistance of 50% up to the value of £4,999 for the purchase of capital equipment to help rural businesses remain sustainable and recover from the ongoing pandemic. The grant funding will also provide the opportunity for some businesses to increase innovation activity as well as the efficiency of their rural businesses.
Rural Businesses continue to play a vital role in sustaining rural communities and hence their own sustainability at this challenging time is very important.
Details regarding the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme can be found on the DAERA website at: http://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/initiatives-tackle-rural-poverty-and-social-isolation-trpsi. Only online applications can be accepted for this scheme. The Scheme opens for applications at 9.00am on 4 May 2022 and closes again at 12 noon on 31 May 2022.
Write a comment
Download the Balmoral Show App ahead of the Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank.
The app is a handy pocket tool to help guide you on your visit around the Show featuring trade stands and key attractions. To stop you missing out on the action, it also features the Show timetable of events across the action packed four days.
Users will also be able to live stream action from the Main Arena and Sheep Shearing Fold as well as highlights from the Cattle Rings and Horse Rings.
The app is now available for download on Apple Store and Google Play. Simply search for “Balmoral Show” and download!
The Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank will return to Balmoral Park from Wednesday 11th May to Saturday 14th May 2022. All tickets must be purchased online or through the App. Early Bird tickets will be available until Tuesday 10th May. To purchase tickets to the Show, visit www.balmoralshow.co.uk.
For the latest updates on the Show visit the website or follow Balmoral Show on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Write a comment
As a well-known local farmer, Rory Best OBE, is adding his voice to the 2022 ‘Right Side of Outside’ campaign, urging the public to respect the outdoor spaces used for agricultural purposes and the animals that call it their home.
Following the success of its ‘Right Side of Outside’ campaign last year, OutmoreNI is delighted to add Rory’s support to its messages reaffirming that key issues in the outdoors such as livestock worrying, disturbance of wildlife, wild fires, irresponsible car parking, litter and dog waste still need to be acknowledged.
“I am thrilled to be part of this campaign and to use my lived experience farming to highlight the impact caused by those who aren’t mindful of the outdoor spaces they are exploring.” says Rory.
“As we enter the new season, more cattle will be born and the work on our farms will naturally increase. So, to have a car blocking an entrance or a dog off a leash scaring new born lambs can cause great distress within the farming community. As farmers we love the outdoors and are keen to promote its beauty and ability to provide an escape to many; but we must educate the public on the simple steps they can take to help protect the outdoors and our livelihoods.”
Northern Ireland’s outdoors has experienced an unprecedented growth in visitor numbers since the pandemic began. Whilst this growth is welcomed, it has generated significant issues in terms of a lack of responsible use of the outdoors. Issues include visitors parking their cars and blocking access, dogs worrying livestock and disturbing wildlife, wild fires, people being ill prepared and needing rescued, litter and dog waste being left behind and trash being left by wild campers. All of the above puts a massive strain on our outdoors and for those protecting our natural landscapes that make our adventures possible.
Chair of Outdoor Recreation NI, the organisation behind the campaign, Dawson Stelfox MBE says: “Our campaign last year had a significant impact by spreading awareness around the key issues we have been tackling. Whilst we are always keen to promote the outdoors and encourage more people to explore the beauty of Northern Ireland, we also want to educate on how simple things such as picking up after your dog, parking your car in a designated space to avoid blocking access and being more mindful of those that use the areas for farming, can have a huge impact on protecting these areas for the wildlife that call it home and the future generations that are yet to experience it.
“As we approach the spring and summer months, we are keen to reiterate these key messages to promote responsible behaviour in the outdoors and more specifically in rural areas and open countryside where it is harder to regulate user behaviour. To have Rory involved adds great weight to our voice.”
In 2021, the National Farmers Union announced that 73% of dog owners are now letting their pets roam free when visiting the outdoors, which can be extremely disturbing during the lambing season because it can cause great distress, injury, or loss of produce. Additionally, there has been a staggering 341% increase in stand-up paddle boarding rescues and a 200% increase in open water swimming rescues due to people not understanding how to prepare for the environment they are going to visit.
Dawson adds: “It is clear the love for the outdoors has grown which is fantastic to see. But we want to ensure the outdoors remains a safe space for everyone, public and animals alike. Together we need to share the outdoors in a respectful way and understand that the outdoors is a living space. Being more mindful and aware of the small steps to outdoor harmony will have a lasting positive impact.”
If you want to find out more visit OutmoreNI.com which will give you detailed advice and guidance on how to stay on the ‘Right Side of Outside’. View launch video here: https://youtu.be/qYABGaWu1kg
Write a comment
The FoodNI Pavilion returns to the 153rd Balmoral Show and this year it is set to wow crowds with over 100 local food and drink companies and three Theatre Kitchens.
Organised by food and drink membership organisation Food NI, and supported by the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme, and Tourism NI, the FoodNI Pavilion will tantalise your taste buds, with delicious and original food and drink on offer - from award-winning cheese to mouth-watering brownies! The Pavilion includes a number of new and innovative businesses that started during the pandemic with emerging trends in sustainability, health and food tourism.
This year, Food NI welcomes a host of excellent local companies including NI favourite’s Glastry Farm Ice Cream, Moy Park, Whites and Thompsons Tea. Hinch Distillery, Betty’s Ice Cream, Craig Foods, Hotties Chocolate, Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Cooperative Society and Island Dairies are also some new names attending NI’s largest agri-food event.
Throughout Show days there will be three Theatre Kitchens cooking up a storm. The Tesco Theatre Kitchen will focus on cooking on a budget using local ingredients, the Tourism NI Kitchen will showcase some of Northern Ireland’s top food and drink experiences, and the Moy Park Kitchen will focus on all that is chicken.
One of the growing areas of the NI Food Pavilion is the engagement of councils with local food and drink. This year, 5 regions are represented by their councils, Antrim and Newtownabbey, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (Food Heartland), Mid and East Antrim Food Network, Taste Ards and North Down, and Savour Visit Mourne. They are melting pots of ideas and talented food innovators.
Food NI’s Chief Executive Michele Shirlow, commented, “There’ll be a tremendous atmosphere in the pavilion once again. The pavilion is a must visit experience to find out what is happening in the world of food and drink and to see our talented food and drink industry show off the latest innovations. Make sure to visit the Balmoral Park from 11th – 14th May where the sold-out pavilion is set to host the biggest celebration of the outstanding tastes and rich flavours from local artisan companies across the province.’’
The Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank, Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food event will take place from Wednesday 11th May to Saturday 14thMay 2022 at Balmoral Park, Lisburn. All tickets must be purchased online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk.
Write a comment
Balmoral Show is back bigger than ever! Taking it's regular May spot for the first time since 2019 the show saw visitors from all over Ireland, Great Britain and further afield visit the Maze venue.
Organisers were delighted with the success of this year’s Show in partnership with Ulster Bank which ran from 11 – 14 May at Balmoral Park, Lisburn with an attendance of over 100,000 visitors across the four fun-filled days.
Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food event delivered a unique family day out, with the very best of entertainment, farming and local food on offer.
Rhonda Geary, Operations Director at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society commented, ‘We have had a fantastic four days for this year’s Balmoral Show, in partnership with Ulster Bank. The crowds continued every day and there was something for everyone to enjoy, from fantastic food to family entertainment and exceptional livestock. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to Balmoral next year as the Show will return 10th-13th May 2023.’
Stream the highlights from the 2022 Balmoral Show online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk/balmoral-live
For more information on the Balmoral Show visit www.balmoralshow.co.uk or follow Balmoral Show on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
Write a comment
This week is Child Farm Safety Week, and it is very fitting as HSENI’s Agriculture team are extremely busy visiting rural primary schools to give farm safety talks to Primary one and Primary seven pupils right across Northern Ireland (NI) on the run up to the summer holidays!
We would also like to remind all schoolchildren in NI to get their entries into our annual ‘Avoid Harm on the Farm’ poster competition, where the 12 winning entries will form part of our 2023 farm safety calendar.
This year’s competition was launched on 1 June and will run until the end of June. Children in NI from Primary Schools and Special Schools are invited to enter our competition by drawing a poster outlining the dangers that are present on farms.
Farmyards are busy workplaces and children are more at risk during the school holidays as they spend more time on the farm. The farm can be a place of great fun and excitement for children, but it can also be an extremely dangerous environment, so keeping children safe on our farms must remain a priority.
All too often, children have access to the entire farm and view it as one big play space. Children must be taught about farm dangers and be kept away from the risks.
Camilla Mackey, Head of the Agri-Team at HSENI said: “HSENI would encourage your children to enjoy the farm! There are plenty of things that children can do to help out and these are excellent life skills for the future but REMEMBER, this is wholly dependent on the child’s age and maturity. Parents MUST be very mindful of this and ensure children of all ages are adequately supervised on the farm at all times. Children must also never be carried on agricultural vehicles or machinery during work activities until they are aged 13 years or over.
“Children of all ages are naturally curious, so it is really important that they are educated about safety on the farm from an early age so that they are aware of the potential dangers and learn how to avoid them.
“The annual poster competition is an ideal way for parents to remind their children about how to stay safe on the farm. I would encourage parents to help their children identify dangers such as tractors and machinery, silage harvesting and slurry operations, for example, and illustrate to us their ideas on farm safety.”
Information for parents on child safety can be found at: www.hseni.gov.uk/child-safety-on-farms-campaign
Details about the poster competition and the terms and conditions can be found at: www.hseni.gov.uk
 |
 |
 |