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Following recent announcements and guidance from the NI Executive in relation to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the Livestock Market Stakeholder group have met to discuss and review the protocol put in place to ensure the safety of all who attend and work at livestock sales.
With the gradual easing of the COVID-19 restrictions, the Livestock Market Stakeholder group have agreed safety measures that will allow sellers to return to Markets from Monday, 3 May to view their own livestock being sold.
The arrangements that Livestock Markets have already introduced to allow the online viewing and participation in sales by buyers and sellers will remain in place and farmers are encouraged to continue to make use of this technology.
Key safety measures relating to the use of marshalling, face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing, that everyone is now well used to adhering to, will remain in place. Auctioneers and Mart staff will continue to monitor and make regular announcements to provide advice to those in attendance. For everyone’s safety it is essential that this advice is followed.
The Livestock Market Stakeholder group want to re-emphasise that everyone within the farming community must continue to work together to enable the gradual relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions but still ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those who attend and work at livestock sales.
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Following last weekends horrific fire in the Mourne Mountains the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) are asking farmers, land managers and the public for their help during the current dry weather spell.
As the dry weather continues, DAERA, NIFRS, PSNI and UFU are once again advising visitors to rural areas, as well as residents, to act responsibly and be vigilant for wildfires especially over this bank holiday weekend.
Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA said; “The recent wildfire in the Mournes on Donard Mountain has shown how quickly a wildfire can spread creating significant risk to life and property while causing extensive environmental damage and diverting the emergency services resources away from where they are most needed, protecting and serving the community.
“With the COVID-19 restrictions starting to relax and people travelling to see friends, family and enjoy the countryside, the need for responsible behaviour and increased vigilance at this time cannot be overstated. The wildfire risk increases with members of the public taking advantage to get back into the countryside. The use of barbeques, camp fires and other open ignition sources should be avoided in or near areas where there is a risk of a vegetation fire starting (areas with gorse, forestry, heather or dry grasses).
“On behalf of all partner organisations I am asking the public, farmers, rural dwellers and other countryside users to be extremely vigilant regarding the use of fire. Please report any suspicious or illegal activity to the PSNI via 999 and report all fires immediately to the NIFRS via 999.”
There remains a risk of wildfire across Northern Ireland. Fires can take hold and spread quickly on dry ground, with potentially devastating consequences.
Extra caution is also advised with respect to use of machinery and other agricultural activity that may also present a risk of fire in dry vegetation on cultivated land in the current conditions. Operators of such equipment should ensure that the machinery is well maintained and that any heat insulation is in place, is intact and maintained to help reduce the risk of fire from exhausts or other exposed hot engine parts which may lead to ignition of the surrounding vegetation in these very dry conditions.
Wildfires are not natural, they are almost always started by humans either deliberately or through carelessness. They put lives at risk, destroy our surroundings and the wildlife in them, and are a real cost to society.
Please heed the following advice:
If you are in the countryside
If you see a fire
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A £75million investment in CAFRE campuses will underpin future sustainable growth of the Northern Ireland agri-food industry, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Edwin Poots MLA has said.
Both campuses at Loughry and Greenmount will undergo a significant refurbishment programme which will include new modern student accommodation and high-tech facilities to support student learning.
Announcing the refurbishment programme, Minister Poots said: “CAFRE has a well renowned reputation within the agri-food industry for providing excellent tuition and training facilities for the next generation of farmers, growers and agri-food personnel.
“I am delighted to announce a £75million investment which will revolutionise the facilities at CAFRE and underpin future sustainable growth of the Northern Ireland agri-food industry.
“The buildings at the heart of Loughry and Greenmount Campuses, where students live, study and socialise, were built over 50 years ago. It is therefore fitting that my Department is making this investment in the Centenary year of Northern Ireland. Our agri-food sector has faced many challenges over the past century and has grown to develop a global reputation for high quality food and traceability. It is now time to invest in each campus to provide modern, well-designed facilities which will meet the needs of students, staff and industry during the next century.
“This investment complements the recent launch of the BSc (Hons) Degrees in Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture and the Higher Level Apprenticeships in Food and will ensure that CAFRE remains at the forefront of agri-food education across these islands.The plans for Loughry will also include a Science Centre which will be shared with food research staff in the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). These top class facilities will be the centre of knowledge and innovation for the industry leaders and decision-makers of the future.
“CAFRE is well placed to deliver education, knowledge transfer and innovation programmes which will assist in the delivery of my Green Growth initiative. I also welcome the fact that the design and construction of the new buildings will be environmentally sustainable, enhancing the well-being of all who use, live and work in them."
Welcoming the funding for the campus investments, Martin McKendry, College Director said, “Modern, well-designed facilities at Greenmount and Loughry Campuses are strategically important for recruitment onto our wide portfolio of courses. Planning for these projects has already commenced and construction will begin in late 2022/early 2023. The building work will have a phased approach to minimise disruption to the delivery of our programmes and we have a target completion date of 2028. I look forward to seeing the impact of this work as each stage of the project is completed.”
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Eleven school teams took part in the 2021 ABP Angus Youth Challenge, the agri-skills development programme for teenagers from the meat processor ABP.
The schools represented were: Ballymena Academy; Cookstown High, who entered two teams; Dalriada School; Enniskillen Royal Grammar who also entered two teams; Friends School Lisburn; the Royal School Armagh; St Kevin’s College Lisnakea; St Patrick’s Maghera and Wallace High School.
Congratulating the participants on reaching this year’s semi-final stage, Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland, George Mullan said, “ABP would like to congratulate all the semi-finalists for taking part in the competition during an exceptionally challenging time in their school-lives. I would also like to acknowledge the support of the schools and their families in helping them prepare for the judging interviews.”
The teams that will progress through to the finalist programme will be announced in June. For those teams that do make it through, their prize from ABP will be winning five Aberdeen Angus cross calves to rear through to finishing over an 18-month skills development programme. They will benefit financially from the sale of their calves to ABP and one overall winning team at the end of the programme will also receive a £1,000 cash prize for their school.
The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is organised in partnership with the Northern Irish Angus Producer Group. Its General Manager Charles Smith added, “On behalf of the judging panel, I would like to commend all the pupils for their impressive research into Angus beef production and the passion they demonstrated for many aspects of Northern Ireland’s rich farming and agri-food heritage. Notwithstanding the difficult circumstances, ABP and the Angus Producer Group are committed to offering teenagers the opportunity of benefiting from this competition” Helping judge this year’s semi-final were representatives from the Livestock & Meat Commission NI and the CAFRE.
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Tis week would normally have marked the start of the Balmoral Show but thanks to the pandemic it isn't happening for the second year in a row. Instead The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) announced back in December that the 2021 Balmoral Show would take place from Wednesday 22 September to Saturday 25 September 2021.
While organisers are of course disappointed that they aren’t meeting at the showgrounds this week, they are delighted to report that plans for September’s Show are progressing well.
Alan Crowe, RUAS Chief Executive, comments: ‘After the disappointment of having to cancel last year’s Show due to the Covid-19 pandemic and then having to postpone this year’s May Show, we are pleased that plans for our September Show are going well and we are hopeful of hosting Balmoral later in the year.
Our staff and committees are busy planning and looking at all the necessary changes needed to ensure a Covid-safe event; there will undoubtedly be changes this year as we implement Covid-safety measures, however the safety and wellbeing of our visitors, exhibitors, stewards, officials and contractors remains the greatest importance.’
Keep up to date with Show plans including our Covid-measures on the Balmoral Show website WWW.BALMORALSHOW.CO.UK
Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food event, in association with principal sponsor Ulster Bank, once again promises four fun-filled days for all the family. Taking place at Balmoral Park, Lisburn from 22 -25 September 2021, the Show prides itself on offering something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a family day out, fantastic food or the chance to see exceptional livestock displays, it’s all in the Show.
For further information and to keep up to date with Show news visit their website.
The 2022 Show is scheduled to take place from 11-14 May 2022
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Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has written to the Secretary of State George Eustice to express his strong opposition to the prospect of a zero tariff, zero quota Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and Australia.
An FTA with Australia that allowed tariff and quota free access for sensitive agricultural products would be damaging Northern Ireland’s beef and sheep trade.
Minister Poots said: “The prospect of such a deal presents a high level of risk to Northern Ireland and UK farmers. Therefore I believe that the UK should maintain tariff protection at present levels for all agricultural products where the UK has a significant production interest.
“Australia has a number of distinct advantages over Northern Ireland, and the rest of the UK, in terms of the land available for farming, climate and lower standards that allows it’s farmers to be able produce at a considerably lower cost, particularly in the beef and sheep sectors. Consequently there is a lot of potential for Australian beef and sheep exports to the UK to expand substantially over time if tariffs are eliminated. Australian beef and sheep products have the potential to undercut UK producers and to reduce Northern Ireland’s market share in GB which is our most important market for these products.”
This is in line with the UKG’s impact assessment of the UK Australia FTA which concluded that full tariff liberalisation would result in an increase of imports from Australia of 83% and a fall in UK agricultural output of more than 0.5% and notes that “it is expected that the increase in imports would, in part, comprise sheep meat (including lamb) and bovine meat.
The Minister continued: “The assessment also notes that Northern Ireland is predicted to experience a negative impact in output terms overall from tariff liberalisation with Australia due to our specialisation in agri-food.
“I have a multitude of other concerns relating to this proposal:
“For these reasons tariff protection must be maintained for beef and sheep products. While beef and sheep give rise to the greatest concerns, protection must be maintained for all sensitive agri-food products where NI has a significant production interest, including dairy, pigs and poultry.”
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Slieve Gullion Councillor, Oonagh Magennis, has welcomed confirmation that the EU Commission is supportive of the north being included in the application for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Irish grass-fed beef.
The Councillor explained "Sinn Féin has consistently lobbied for an all-island approach to this application. My colleagues Declan McAleer MLA and Matt Carthy TD have raised the issue with Ministers Poots and McConalogue and have met Bord Bia to advance the case for inclusion the north.
There is no reason why the north should not be included as agriculture is closely linked across the island and our cattle are raised to the exact same standard.
This status should be afforded to all parts of our food and drink sector. The produce of Ireland, north and south, is second to none, and our grass-fed beef is some of the best in the world. Our standards remain aligned under the EU Protocol.
The EU’s PGI scheme could deliver economically for many qualifying businesses across the north through the successful registration of ‘Irish Grass-Fed Beef’ as studies carried out by the European Commission found out that the sales value of PGI meat products was on average 1.2 times the sales value for comparable standard products without the GI label".
The Councillor continued "The announcement from the EU Commission that the north should submit a ‘constructive opposition’ to officially communicate our desire to be included is great news and it is welcome news that a PGI working group has been set up in the Assembly to consider the technical specifications and verification criteria for Irish grass-fed beef.
Local farmers deserve the opportunity to market local beef on an international stage given the high quality of our produce. There is a fear that because of Brexit that the market will be flooded with cheap beef from Argentina and Australia. Our local farmers deserve better and an opportunity to showcase their commitment to the quality of their produce".
Cllr Magennis concluded “On an all-island basis there is no difference between the beef of an animal raised in Antrim as opposed to one reared in Cork. The standard of the produce is on an even keel and should be recognised as such, so the EU Commission announcement regarding an all-island PGI for grass-fed beef is very welcome.”
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The Annual Agricultural and Horticultural Census is now open and will be online again this year. The Census is one of the world’s longest running surveys having been collated since 1847 and the deadline for completion is 30th June.
Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA said: “The survey has been compiled since 1847 and is an extremely important tool to assess trends across the agriculture and horticulture sectors. We use all this information to help form many of my Department’s decisions and policies on supporting Northern Ireland’s farming industry. It’s therefore very important for all farmers to fill in the survey and help us understand how and where to direct resources.”
Last year’s survey highlighted some interesting facts:
The Minister continued: “I am encouraging everyone to take the 15 minute survey before the 30th June deadline, and ensure we can capture what’s happening across Northern Ireland.”
All the information collected during the census will be treated in a completely confidential manner. As an additional security feature within the online format of the survey, each of Northern Ireland’s farm businesses have been provided with a unique five-digit code to safeguard identity when logging into the service.
To access the form go to DAERAsurveys@daera-ni.gov.uk use your unique five-digit code and complete details as requested. However, if difficulties are encountered when completing the online form, please call us on 028 9052 5432.
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Gibson Agri Services has been announced as the new sponsor of the Performance Horse Championships at Balmoral Show.
Featuring a Four and Five year old class and Six year old and Over class, the Championship finals will take place at the Show on Friday 24 September in the Main Arena.
The complete list of the Performance Horse Championship Qualifier dates are as follows;
Entries for all qualifiers can made directly with the hosting venue.
For more information on the Performance Horse Championships at the Balmoral Show, visit WWW.BALMORALSHOW.CO.UK
This year the Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank will return to the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park from Wednesday 22ndSeptember to Saturday 25th September 2021. For the latest updates on the Show visit their website or follow Balmoral Show on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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