UFU President William Irvine said the UFU is in close contact with the department as investigations continue.

“We met with DAERA’s veterinary officials to discuss the situation and the steps now in place following the detection of suspected Bluetongue,” said William Irvine.

“This is a serious disease, and we recognise the concern it will cause among farmers and the wider agri-food industry. Our priority is to stay fully informed as DAERA’s investigations progress and to ensure members receive accurate updates as more information becomes available.”

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Minister has said there will be “serious consequences” for the agri-food community here if the virus is not contained.

Speaking on Good Morning Ulster, Andrew Muir MLA said that while the disease doesn’t have an impact on food safety and public health, it has “potentially very serious consequences on agri-food and has caused real anxiety within the farming community”.

He added that the most important thing going forward was to “focus on the eradication of this”.

Mr Irvine said the UFU will continue to work with DAERA as the department implements control measures in line with the Bluetongue Disease Control Framework.

“DAERA has established a Temporary Control Zone and begun its response, and we appreciate the urgency of the situation,” he added.

“We are also calling on DAERA to communicate directly and quickly with all farmers inside the TCZ and to provide a dedicated helpline so that those affected can access clear advice on what these restrictions mean for their businesses. We will maintain regular engagement with the department in the days ahead and will communicate key developments to members as they are confirmed.”

The UFU is encouraging all farmers to remain vigilant for signs of Bluetongue and to follow official guidance issued by DAERA. Anyone with concerns should contact their private vet, local divisional veterinary office or the DAERA helpline.

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Since the Autumn Budget last year, the UFU has been pushing for an impact assessment on the family farm tax and now it is being carried out by the Finance Bill Sub-Committee. Responses can be submitted until 5pm on Tuesday 7^th October.

UFU president William Irvine said: “The UFU will be submitting a clear, comprehensive response detailing how NI will be disproportionately affected by IHT due to the unique structure of its agricultural sector characterised by high land values, an older demographic of farmers and a greater prevalence of sole-owner, livestock-based farms.

“How it will be the ruination of our farming industry as many farm families will be forced to sell land to pay an unjust inheritance tax leaving their business unviable. But our response alone is not enough.

“We are asking our members to write a submission to the committee. The more responses the Finance Sub-Committee have from NI, the better their understanding will be. Write about how your farm will be affected by the tax, what you will be forced to do, how it will impact the future of your business, what it will mean for your family.

“The window for submissions is very tight, 7^th October at 5pm is the deadline, but we strongly urge farmers to make it a priority in the days ahead and submit their response. We have been doing all we can, lobbying MPs and peers, voicing our opposition, but it’s the voice of the farmer that means the most and has the best chance of shifting opinion and inciting change.”

The call for evidence is open until Tuesday 7^th October at 5pm for submissions of APR/BPR reform. See question 9-15  https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/3750/

Please be aware that responses may be published and made publicly available.

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The headline speakers are Emily McGowan, mixed farmer and shop founder, Millbank Farm; Nicola Wordie, livestock farmer, Livestock FarmHER and Lorna Sixsmith, dairy farmer and writer .

“This year, we’re delighted to welcome a fantastic lineup of speakers to our Women in Agriculture Conference,” said UFU President, William Irvine.

“Emily McGowan is a well-known UFU member who brings valuable business experience having founded Millbank Farm Shop while working on her family farm. Scottish farmer Nicola Wordie has been a hugely positive influence among the agriculture community by sharing real-life challenges in farming, particularly during times of loss, as well as the triumphs.

“And from County Laois, Lorna Sixsmith, award-winning author of books like ‘Would You Marry a Farmer?’ brings her wit and insight to the stage. Each of these women have carved out a powerful and distinct path in agriculture, breaking ground in their own right and inspiring countless others. Their stories will undoubtedly resonate and empower everyone in the room.”

Since its launch in 2019, the UFU Women in Agriculture Conference has gone from strength to strength and provides a valuable space for women to connect, share experiences and learn from one another.

“Our Women in Agriculture Conference is a celebration of the talent, resilience and leadership of women in our industry,” added William Irvine.

“Individuals who play a vital role in producing local food, driving innovation and sustaining our rural communities. The work they do is vital in shaping the future of farming. As an organisation, we remain committed to promoting their efforts through events such as the Women in Agriculture Conference and ensuring that the next generation especially young girls, can see a vibrant and rewarding future for themselves in agriculture.”

Tickets go on sale on Friday 19^th September and can be purchased via the UFU website – https://www.ufuni.org/events-training/

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Speaking at the event, UFU president William Irvine said the decision farmers were facing on APR was nothing short of devastating.

“It affects everyone, from the youngest child to the eldest member of our community, and it will shape the future of rural NI. This is not a one-off hit on our businesses, it will threaten every generation in the future,” said Mr Irvine.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, Carla Lockhart MP, Jim Allister MP, Claire Sugden MLA, Patsy McGlone MLA, AERA chair Robbie Butler MLA and AERA committee vice chair Declan McAleer MLA spoke at the event, with many more politicians in attendance from all parties, including politicians and representatives from the Labour Government.

Facts were laid out by the UFU president regarding the true impact that the changes to APR will create for farm families, rural communities and the UK’s ability to produce food.

“The government’s claim that ‘£3 million in relief’ will shield us is utterly misleading. They’re talking about APR alone and ignoring Business Property Relief for the stock, machinery, and assets that make our farms run,” said Mr Irvine.

“By twisting the numbers, they paint a picture that 73% of farms won’t be affected. This is not just wrong – it’s deceptive. The Labour Government is out of touch with the realities of farming, and we’re here to put the record straight and let them know that in no uncertain terms is this acceptable.

“It’s not just our farms on the line. This impacts our food security, the lifeblood of our rural economy, and the very communities we cherish. Retailers are estimating this budget will cost them an additional £100 million. Where do you think they’ll make up for that? Right down the supply chain, on our backs. Rising costs, tight margins, higher wages – it’s all stacking up against us, and it’s unsustainable,” he said.

Local farmers Jessica Pollock, a dairy farmer and former UFU Next Generation member from Castlederg; and Lorraine Killen, a mixed farmer and UFU Next Generation farmer from Newbuildings, also spoke at the event. They stressed the heartbreaking reality that farm families are now dealing with and their determination to overturn the government’s decision.

“For generations, we have poured everything into our farms – every penny, every ounce of effort, and made countless sacrifices. We’ve faced immense challenges, and some of us have endured devastating losses. Yet, we carried on. And now, we stand on the brink of losing it all.

“This entire farming community has been living under a very dark cloud of late. We are struggling to comprehend what this future holds, and we are scared of what it means for our children. Those little ones who follow us around the yard, asking questions, learning, and dreaming of their own futures in farming – what will we tell them? That they have no choice but to give it all up? That their hopes and dreams have been stolen?

“I stand here tonight because I refuse to let that happen. Each and every one of us in this room is here because we refuse to let that happen. We will not allow our family farms to be sacrificed to fix Government overspending. We will not allow our farms and livelihoods to disappear,” said Mrs Killen.

As part of lobbying efforts, 15,000 farmers have signed the UFU’s petition to overturn the family farm tax. It was presented at London on 19^th November to the Labour Government Secretary of State for NI, Hilary Benn. The government’s reception will determine whether further action will take place.

“Now is the time to stand up, unite and challenge this appalling decision by a government that is out of touch with farming families, the people who are the backbone of our rural communities and the people that feed the nation. Our UFU rally is the start and we will not rule out further action if it is needed,” added Mr Irvine.

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A ‘washout winter’ means that the production of wheat, barley, oats and oilseed rape may be down by 17.5%, according to an Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) report.

The analysis from ECIU is based on Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) crop area forecasts and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) yield data.

Battling to establish crops in one of the wettest winters on record, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned that the extreme weather associated with climate change presents one of the biggest threats to UK food security.

Tom Lancaster, land analyst at ECIU said: “This washout winter is playing havoc with farmers’ fields leading to soils so waterlogged they cannot be planted or too wet for tractors to apply fertilisers.

“This is likely to mean not only a financial hit for farmers, but higher imports as we look to plug the gap left by a shortfall in UK supply. There’s also a real risk that the price of bread, beer and biscuits could increase as the poor harvest may lead to higher costs.”

He added that in order to withstand wetter winters that will come from climate change, farmers need more support.

“The government’s green farming schemes are vital to this, helping farmers to invest in their soils to allow them to recover faster from both floods and droughts,” he said.

The wetter winter weather is a particular concern for the UK’s wheat harvest, with the ECIU estimating that wheat production could be down by up to 26.5% compared to 2023. Milling wheat used to make bread could be hit particularly hard, as it needs to meet higher quality requirements that will be more difficult for farmers to achieve with the wet weather.

Additionally, with the premium for milling wheat over feed wheat at historically high levels, the ECIU added that many farmers are set to lose out on income.

UK millers normally source approximately 80% of their wheat from British farms, a figure it says it likely to be well down after this year’s harvest. As a result, it has led to one of the UK’s biggest bread makers warning that the price of a loaf could increase.

“Farmers are saying this is the worst winter they’ve ever experienced,” added Tom Lancaster.

“Coming just as food prices were coming down after the gas price crisis, the public will now rightly fear what this means for the cost of their weekly shop. Given half our food comes from abroad, the UK will have to ensure farmers are supported here in the UK, but also in countries that grow the fruit and other staples we can’t, that are also being battered by weather extremes.”

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