'Northern Ireland needs government now', farming union says in joint call
Leading organisations are calling on Northern Irish politicians to reach an agreement to restore devolved institutions that 'work for everyone'.
The four leading civic society organisations, representing various strands of Northern Ireland society, includes the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU).
They have said the lack of government has left a 'huge financial uncertainty' around the Northern Ireland budget.
They have also said that major strategic decisions have been parked or postponed and no government representation is in the Brexit negotiations.
Northern Irish farmers are facing a delay for help to combat pressing issues they face because there is currently no Executive and no farming minister.
The Northern Ireland Executive collapsed after deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned in protest over the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal.
This triggered the Northern Ireland Assembly election on 2 March. However, political parties could not reach an agreement to form a coalition agreement, with talks having been going on for months.
With the Assembly remaining vacant, hard-pressing issues in agriculture are starting to worry farmers.
'Unique position'
The organisations said in a joint statement: "Without a government to fully represent our interests, how can we ensure that Brexit takes full account of our unique position as the only part of the UK with a land border with another EU Member State, our uniquely high levels of trade with the EU/ROI, our unique all-island healthcare and energy arrangements, and the unique framework for stability provided by the Good Friday Agreement?"
The four organisations have also produced a common position statement setting out 6 key recommendations for negotiating priorities for a Northern Ireland government, namely on the matter of trade, migration, the Good Friday Agreement, workers rights, EU funding and the Brexit process.
Regarding trade, the organisations said: "Given that uniquely, the majority of Northern Ireland exports (58%) currently go to the EU and 2/3rds of these exports go to the ROI, it is vital that an open frictionless border is maintained between Ireland and Northern Ireland; and between Great Britain and the island of Ireland.
"As a first step, it is essential there is agreement that the UK will preserve the economic benefits of the Single Market and the Customs Union until a final settlement between the United Kingdom and the European Union is agreed and implemented.
"This will avoid a damaging scenario which will have a potentially significant impact not just on trade but on thousands of jobs in the region."
