"Increasing any levy on our farmers, never mind doubling it, in the present economic climate must be clearly explained."

This was the comment of Ulster Unionist MLA and party Agriculture Spokesperson Jo-Anne Dobson who has questioned the decision by the Northern Ireland Agricultural Research and Development Council (AgriSearch) to double its beef slaughter levy which is payable by farmers.

Mrs Dobson said:

"We are all acutely aware of the extreme financial pressures under which local beef farmers are presently operating their businesses.

"This decision by AgriSearch to, for the first time since its creation in 1997, increase its levy will cost our already hard-pressed beef farmers an estimated additional £80,000 per year, £40,000 of which is to be transferred to Animal Health and Welfare NI.

"At the beginning of July I called on the Agriculture Minister, Michelle O'Neill to make the beef sector her number one priority. Farmers now need to know whether the Minister or her officials have been involved in any discussions about doubling levies on our beef farmers at a time of extreme pressure on this entire sector.

"I have written to the Minister following approaches by a number of farmers who are concerned by this announcement, asking if she was involved in or made aware of plans to double this levy.

"This sets a worrying precedence for all farmers that levies can be doubled without any consultation and indeed portions passed on to third-party companies - we need answers from the Minister.

"I await her response to my letter with interest, but remain concerned that unless urgent support is forthcoming our beef sector, which is already on its knees, will before too long cease to exist."