Alliance DAERA spokesperson John Blair MLA has defended the actions of Minister Andrew Muir after the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) passed a vote of no confidence in the department, a move Mr Blair described as both "counterproductive and disingenuous".

Speaking in response to the UFU's stance, Mr Blair asserted that the Minister holds a responsibility to all of Northern Ireland to safeguard the environment, alongside his work in the agriculture sector. He suggested that many of the current challenges facing the industry are a result of "previous inaction" by former DAERA Ministers.

Mr Blair said: "Under Alliance Minister Andrew Muir's leadership, DAERA is committed to working with others to deliver a successful future for agriculture alongside the much-needed restoration of our environment. "This latest move is neither constructive nor acting in the interests of the farming community longer term, especially given that many of these challenges have mounted under previous inaction by former DAERA Ministers," he said.

Mr Blair highlighted the Minister's efforts to secure financial support for the sector, including ring-fencing over £300 million for agriculture and securing £12.3m for a Just Transition Fund. He noted that Minister Muir is also rolling out the new Sustainable Agricultural Programme and engaging with the Finance Minister for further financial assistance for the industry.

He concluded by urging the UFU to adopt a more collaborative approach:

"However, the Minister also has a duty to everyone in Northern Ireland to protect our environment, and Alliance makes no apologies for that. It would be better if the UFU worked with DAERA to identify solutions to the problems we collectively face."