Farming union 'outraged' by 'tyrannical' decision to scrap two-stage appeal process

The Ulster Farmers’ Union says it is "outraged" by reports that the Department for Agriculture is planning to scrap its two-stage appeal process in favour of single-stage review.

The farming union has branded the move by Northern Ireland's Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) as "tyrannical".

The UFU said it highlights DAERA's "disregard and disdain" for farmers and their businesses.

The union, along with eight other organisations, responded to DAERA’s ‘Review of Decisions’ consultation last August.

Under the Review of Decisions procedure, applicants have a right to request a review of a decision made by the Department in relation to their area based claims.

'Autocratic decisions'

However, all eight organisations opposed the department move to a single stage process.

Despite this opposition from industry, the UFU said it understands senior officials decided in September 2017 to push ahead with its plan.

“The DAERA Board’s decision was taken immediately after the consultation closed. That begs the question, whether it even considered the responses,” said UFU president, Barclay Bell.

He accused DAERA of mounting a paper exercise with its mind already made up about the way ahead.

“Without a minister to keep officials in check, DAERA has become a law unto its own. We can add this to the ever-growing list of autocratic decisions by DAERA officials.”

'No faith'

The UFU says it has "no faith" in a single-stage review process, questioning how farmers can be sure they are getting a fair hearing, with the loss of an independent review.

“I can’t remember the last time I heard of a farmer winning a first stage appeal. It's an approach that stacks the deck in favour of DAERA,” Mr Bell explained.

“Farmers can kiss goodbye to fairness, transparency, and independence. This is a disgraceful decision by officials now free of political oversight.”

Mr Bell said scrapping the right to independent appeal gives DAERA "absolute control".

“In some cases, the sums involved will be substantial and could be make or break for a farming family. They are just numbers on a page to DAERA officials, but for farmers it is their livelihood that is on the line.

“It is a slap in the face for farmers and for any sense of fair play and public accountability. I would strongly urge DAERA officials to think again over a decision rooted in arrogance and the lack of any political oversight,” said the UFU president.