This was the message from the UFU president William Irvine at the association’s annual dinner.

Attended by officials including fellow Union colleagues from around the UK, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, IFA President Francie Gorman and representatives from the wider agriculture industry, the event was held in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry.

Offering a toast to agriculture, UFU president William Irvine said he has heard the same message from farmers around the UK, that they need the government to listen.

“They need to put the framework in that allows our farm families to grow and evolve and play their full part in feeding the nation.

“This debate is not about environment versus food. It’s about growing food in an environmentally sustainable way and improving the food security position in the UK,” said William Irvine.

“We are facing and will continue to face many challenges, but I see no reduction in the passion and ambition of our farmers to continue to farm. After all, locally produced food is not only the highest quality, but also the most environmentally friendly.”

Additionally, office bearers from the UK’s four farming unions met in Newry to urgently discuss the growing impact of global instability on farm businesses across the UK.

In a joint statement, the four unions, Ulster Farmers’ Union, National Farmers’ Union, NFU Scotland and NFU Cymru, highlighted the significant uncertainty facing farmers as volatility in global energy markets, linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, continues to drive fluctuations in the cost and availability of key inputs such as red diesel and fertiliser.

“Farm businesses across the UK are facing increasing pressure as a result of global events beyond their control,” they said.

“Volatility in fuel and fertiliser markets is creating real uncertainty at farm level, with implications for food production, supply chains and ultimately consumers. Of particular concern is the lack of transparency in how prices for key agricultural inputs are set.

“Many farmers are being asked to commit to purchases without clear or timely information, making it extremely difficult to plan and manage already tight margins. We welcome moves by regulators to increase monitoring of fuel and fertiliser markets, but more must be done to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability across the supply chain.”

The unions are calling on governments across the UK to take coordinated action, including:

• Improving transparency in the pricing of red diesel and fertiliser, including more frequent and accessible market data.
• Ensuring fair market practices, with close monitoring of supply chains to ensure resilience
• Strengthening resilience within the agricultural sector, recognising the essential role of domestic food production in times of global instability.
• Providing clarity on future policy measures, including the development and implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and its potential impact on agricultural inputs such as fertiliser.

  

Following addresses at the annual dinner from NFU Scotland President, Andrew Connon and DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir, the prestigious BT Cup for outstanding agricultural achievement was awarded to Robin Irvine. The award recognises service, leadership and lasting impact within the agri-food industry.

UFU Chief Executive Conall Donnelly said he was delighted to award Robin with the cup in recognition of his exceptional and sustained contribution to the agri-food sector over more than four decades.

“Robin also built a distinguished career in the feed industry with John Thompson & Son and later leading Fane Valley Feeds as Managing Director, serving two terms as President of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association, and driving safety, sustainability and innovation across the sector,” he said.

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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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This is to mitigate against any incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) into our domestic poultry sector and follows the recent suspect cases of avian influenza at two commercial poultry premises near Pomeroy and Lisnaskea.

The housing order, implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), legally requires all bird keepers, including owners of pet birds, commercial flocks, backyard and hobby flocks, to keep their birds indoors or otherwise separate from wild birds. This measure supplements the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) in Northern Ireland, introduced on 1^st November 2025.

In addition, a ban on the gatherings of galliforme (including pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkey, guinea fowl), anseriforme (including ducks, geese, swans) and poultry will be implemented in conjunction with this housing order.

Similar measures are also being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) in Ireland.

Announcing the decision to introduce a housing order, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “I have taken the decision to introduce housing measures for all poultry and captive birds and a ban on certain bird gatherings and I welcome the announcement that a similar order is coming into effect in Ireland. Officials will continue to remain in close contact with counterparts in ROI.

“This will help ensure industry across both jurisdictions are protected as much as possible as we move through the remainder of this HPAI season. This decision will mean that all poultry and captive bird keepers must keep their birds housed or otherwise separate from wild birds.

“This strengthens actions taken by my department to ensure mandatory biosecurity measures were implemented, since 1^st November 2025.

“Northern Ireland relies heavily on the agri-food industry as a source of employment. Poultry and egg production contributes significantly to the economy, valued at over £600 million, and it is vital that we do all we can to support industry efforts to keep HPAI out.”

The Chief Veterinary Officer for NI, Brian Dooher added: “I am urging all flock keepers to please take action now to improve biosecurity so as to reduce the risk of transmission of avian influenza to poultry or other captive birds.

“Anyone who keeps birds and poultry, not just those in the commercial sector, will now have a legal obligation to adhere to the housing order requirements, which are there to protect your flock. Incursions of avian influenza have a significant and devastating impact on our poultry industry, international trade, and the wider economy.

“I would encourage all flock keepers including backyard and hobby keepers to put in place measures to house your birds or keep them separate from wild birds from 00:01 on Thursday 6^th November 2025.”

DAERA stresses the mandatory legislative requirement that all keepers of birds (except keepers of pet birds kept in the owners’ home) must be registered with DAERA. If you have not already done so, please download a registration form on the DAERA website: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/bird-registration-form.

Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease. Anyone who suspects an animal may be affected by a notifiable disease must, by law, report it to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or your local DAERA Direct Office immediately: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/contacts/daera-direct-regional-offices. Failure to do so is an offence.

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The Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland, Brian Dooher has taken the decision based on number of factors including the clinical signs and preliminary results provided by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir confirmed the case following early reports at the weekend.

“A suspect case of notifiable Avian Influenza was reported on Saturday 1^st November and initial results suggest the presence of HPAI,” said the Minister.

“The CVO has therefore, taken the decision, as a precautionary measure, to apply appropriate disease control measures, including the humane culling of all poultry on the site and the introduction of Temporary Control Zones (TCZ) to mitigate for onward disease spread.

“I call on all bird owners – from backyard hobbyists to commercial flock keepers with thousands of birds – to adhere to all biosecurity measures to protect their flocks.”

CVO, Brian Dooher added: “The disease control measures are crucial to limit any potential spread of disease and I must stress the utmost importance of ensuring continuous excellent levels of biosecurity and reporting any suspect cases of avian flu to DAERA immediately.”

Full details of the scope and measures required within the TCZs have been published on the DAERA website: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/disease-control-zone-declarations

Members of the public are encouraged to report dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location, via the DAERA Dead Wild Bird Online Reporting Tool: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/daera-dead-wild-bird-online-reporting-tool

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The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Northern Ireland, Brian Dooher took the decision based on number of factors including the clinical signs and preliminary results provided by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir confirmed that the suspect case was reported on Friday 3^rd October and initial results suggested the presence of notifiable HPAI.

“The CVO has, therefore, taken the decision, as a precautionary measure, to apply appropriate disease control measures, including the humane culling of all poultry on the site and the introduction of Temporary Control Zones (TCZ) to mitigate for onward disease spread,” said Minister Muir.

“This suspect incursion of HPAI is a stark reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent. It is imperative that all bird owners – from backyard hobbyists to commercial flock keepers with thousands of birds – adhere to all biosecurity measures to protect their flocks.”

Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Brian Dooher added: “The disease control measures are crucial to limit any potential spread of disease and I appeal to all bird owners – backyard and commercial – to take all necessary steps to protect your flock. This includes ensuring continuous excellent levels of biosecurity and reporting any suspect cases of avian flu to DAERA immediately.”

Mr Dooher added that samples from the infected premises have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory to confirm strain and pathogenicity.

“Should HPAI be officially confirmed, these TCZs will be revoked and replaced with a 3 kilometre Protection Zone (PZ) and 10 kilometre Surveillance Zone (SZ),” said.

Full details of the scope and measures required within the TCZs have been published on the DAERA website at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/disease-control-zone-declarations

Members of the public are encouraged to report dead waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or gulls, or five or more dead wild birds of other species in the same location, via the DAERA Dead Wild Bird Online Reporting Tool at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/daera-dead-wild-bird-online-reporting-tool

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