The Ulster Farmers’ Union says it is disappointed by the decision taken by Rural Minister, Michelle McIlveen, to deny growers in Northern Ireland coupled support for protein crops.
Coupled support payments are those linked to the production of a particular crop or keeping a particular type of livestock.
"As a region Northern Ireland is dependent on imported plant protein, led by soya.
"Compared with other EU member states, arable farmers in Northern Ireland are limited in the number of break crop choices available, due to the climate.
"By taking this decision, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), have once again placed us at a competitive disadvantage," said UFU Seeds and Cereals Chairman, Allan Chamber.
The UFU said it sees no reason for DAERA to deny growers in Northern Ireland coupled support for protein crops.
"Our fellow growers, who farm only a few miles away, south of the border, receive a coupled payment that equates to around £200/ha giving them a commercial advantage.
"The funding necessary to provide a coupled payment would have equated to an insignificant decrease in all existing SFP payments and it would have helped rebalance our cereal output by giving a much needed wider choice in pursuing best practice in crop rotation," said Mr Chambers.
Dependency on imported protein sources
Mr Chambers added that Agri-Search, NIGTA and the AFSB arable and horticulture sub group have also raised concerns about the dependency of the local livestock sector on imported protein sources.
Indeed, DAERA itself has considered this to be important to the extent that it co-funds a specific research project into the use of locally grown protein in dairy cow rations with early indications suggesting that these trials are proving successful.
"The Minister states she ‘does not believe there are any convincing arguments to introduce Coupled Support Schemes in Northern Ireland during the current CAP period’.
"Yet the potential to do so with protein crops received substantial support from those who responded to that question within the consultation document.
"Surely this response deserved, at least, a discussion with senior officials," said Mr Chambers adding that the Minister will be invited to visit an arable farm so that we can discuss this issue further.
