Guidance For Agriculture Needed Ahead Of Brexit

NI farmers require guidance in the absence of a government and in advance of Brexit, a government committee report has said.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC) examined the future of agriculture post Brexit, after being told in July that farmers need clarity.

The report emphasises the different needs of the industry in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK.

Andrew Morrison, NIAC chair, said Brexit brought both "opportunities and threats to farmers" in Northern Ireland.

"Agri-food has much to inspire optimism," he said.

"However, we are concerned that its uniqueness, challenges and vulnerabilities have not been fully hoisted in by ministers.

"We heard evidence about Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) lack of engagement with Northern Ireland's civil service and with the sector.

"We were left with the impression of drift and delay at a critical time and an over-reliance on the much hoped for restoration of a executive."

A main area that needs to be clarified is the continuation of subsidies after Brexit.

Many Northern Ireland farmers rely heavily on support payments for the bulk of their income.

If the Brexit withdrawal agreement goes ahead, 2019 is likely to be the last year in which the current system of EU subsidies will apply.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said it intends to keep the status quo for several more years until changes are rolled out, but without an executive in place it is unlikely that any decision will be taken on that.



(JG)