Ulster Unionist Leader, Robin Swann MLA, has called on the UK Government to honour previous commitments made to farmers that they would continue to be supported after Brexit.

Robin Swann, a past Chairman of the Rural Youth Europe organisation and former President of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster, said:

“The local agri-food sector employs over 70,000 people and is worth collectively to the local economy over £1bn a year. It is one of our most important local industries and therefore it is all the more worrying that despite our farmers having potentially the most to lose from a bungled Brexit deal, Northern Ireland still remains by far the least prepared.

“I agree with Michael Gove that we have a major opportunity to reform the entire support system. The days of paying enormous sums of money to absentee landlords should come to an end but we also need to remain mindful of the fact that some of the largest individual recipients of EU land subsidies are environmental charities such as the National Trust and the RSPB.   

“We also need to remain realistic and recognise that for our farms to remain sustainable and for the food on our shelves to remain affordable, ongoing direct support to our farmers will have to continue. Many countries right across the globe continue to support their domestic agricultural industries because they recognise the importance of affordable quality food.

“In advance of the European Referendum last June the Leave Campaign, of which Michael Gove was a central figure, gave farmers a commitment that direct payments would be retained on either a comparable or higher level. These promises must not now go unheeded.

“Agriculture across the UK, and especially in Northern Ireland, is facing a seminal moment. Decisions taken over the next number of years will affect entire future generations. We must ensure that a balance is struck between spending public money wisely, protecting our natural environment and ensuring the long-term viability of local farm produce.”