William Irwin
Newry and Armagh · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. We have worked closely together, and I hold you in high esteem. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for agreeing to look into the matter. I was at the funeral on Sunday, and the family are devastated by their loss. The lady was going to get her hair done and was killed on that main road.”
“I thank my party colleagues and Members from all sides of the House who have wished me well on the occasion of my retirement. It has been an absolute privilege to represent Newry and Armagh since 2007. I think that most people will recognise that I represented everyone irrespective of their class or creed.”
“The Minister may be aware that the Bramley apple industry in County Armagh is worth in the region of £20 million to the local economy. For growers, cold stores are vital to the protection and keeping of the apples. Most of those cold stores are now 30, 40 or 50 years old. Growers need help to replace and renew those stores.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her response and for her efforts on the matter. The deputy First Minister will be aware that a large number of vaccines are used by the intensive farming sectors. Does she agree that it would be a serious issue if those medicines were not available?”
“I thank the Minister for his responses so far. We are aware of the reports that thousands of tons of raw sewage has been pumped into Belfast lough. Does the Minister agree that that is totally unacceptable and that something needs to be done as soon as possible?”
“That having been said, securing PGI status for the Armagh Bramley in 2012 was hard worked for and very welcome. That has been a valued and unique selling point, not only for the Bramley variety in the Armagh area but for apples generally in all their varieties, as well as apple-based products.”
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“I thank the Minister for his response. Does the Minister agree that there is a scarcity of trades personnel and, therefore, a need for young tradespeople to come into the system?”
“I encourage him to treat the issue with urgency and determination so that sheep farming is not only sustained but improved through the various measures ably illustrated in the report.”
“Sheep farming is challenging, and, as I have stated, farmers seek profitability while responding to a whole host of variables. It is not an easy industry in which to work, and I salute sheep farmers, given the real and varying challenges that they face. <BR /> <BR />The task force report clearly took some time and effort to produce, and its authors have taken on board a lot of feedback and research from key participants in the sector. It is therefore all the more important that the Minister take forward and focus on the report's recommendations, such as those on improving sheep genetics to, in turn, improve quality. I understand that the Minister has met the task force to discuss the report.”
“Inheritance tax changes are a worrying factor in these circumstances. <BR /> <BR />It is important that there is recognition in the future agricultural policy of the value of the sheep industry in Northern Ireland not only in monetary terms but in environmental terms, given the fact that sheep grazing in upland areas provides a vital service in maintaining landscapes. With a 17% reduction in basic payments forecast, it is easy to understand why the sector has real concerns about its future viability. With the value of the industry rated at £103 million last year, it is an important cog in the wheel of Northern Ireland agriculture.”
“That is a useful document that accurately refers to and reflects the issues faced by sheep farming in Northern Ireland, as, like all sectors, it strives for profitability while battling issues such as pricing, disease, weather and the new threat posed by the Labour Government's changes to inheritance tax law. There are certainly challenges ahead for sheep farming and, indeed, all sectors, given what the inheritance tax changes will mean for farming. I use this platform to urge again a reversal of the rule change. Efforts by all parties to reverse that scandalous policy must continue at pace. The challenges that come with sheep farming, coupled with an ageing workforce, mean that succession is extremely important. That is why it is all the more vital that new entrants are not deterred from carrying on the family business.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of sheep farmers wherever they farm in Northern Ireland, be that in upland or lowland areas. As our amendment highlights, we want to ensure that efforts to improve the outlook for sheep farming assist all sheep farmers, regardless of their location. Sheep farming is a vital sector in Northern Ireland's wider agri-food economy and deserves to be focused on and assisted with the same interest, intent and effort as other sectors. <BR /> <BR />Our amendment refers to the report of the Northern Ireland sheep industry task force.”
“Does the Minister accept that other regions of the UK and, indeed, the Republic of Ireland have been much more proactive in their fight against bTB and have much lower levels as a result?”
“<BR /> <BR />As our motion also illustrates, there is deep discontent with the Chancellor's decision not to ring-fence farm support budgets or to increase funding in line with inflation. That again speaks to Labour's lack of understanding of farming. I encourage the AERA Minister and the Finance Minister to ensure that the level of financial support will be maintained and, in the coming financial years, increased. There is much work to do. For the good of the agri-food industry, it is time to meet the challenges head-on.”
“When it comes to encouraging new entrants into farming, can you think of a greater discouragement to a young man who wants to continue to build on the hard work of his father than a half a million pounds tax bill? What a catastrophic and ill-thought-out policy by the Treasury. There must be an urgent refocusing, and Labour must place a new priority on farming in order to ensure that the UK, of which Northern Ireland is an integral part, is not left high and dry when it comes to its ability to produce food. We must not become a nation of consumers who rely on other countries for our food. That would be a foolish and negative development, yet it is a potential outcome of this bad Treasury policy.”
“Should Labour proceed with the changes, natural succession will be dealt a massive blow through the levying of a huge tax bill on those young people. The Labour Government are effectively ruining agriculture. That is a shocking situation to envisage. Indeed, it is so counterproductive that it is hard to imagine a more negative and industry-damaging policy looming before us. Farmers are strong on food security and committed to producing high-quality food for our population. Why risk that security of supply? <BR /> <BR />On the ground, I hear very clearly that there is a requirement to send a clear message to the Labour Government that their changes must be reversed, and I stand solidly behind that message.”
“It is vital that the decision be reversed. <BR /> <BR />Last night, we witnessed 6,000 people gather at a protest meeting at the Eikon exhibition centre. The message was very clear: farmers will not simply roll over and accept this draconian and damaging attack on farming in Northern Ireland. There are further protests taking place on the mainland today, and they will also serve to focus the minds of the decision makers. As our motion clearly points out, the outworking of the new thresholds for inheritance tax and agricultural property relief will, without doubt, be to impact negatively on succession planning on farms. It is an age-old practice that, generationally, farmers hand over the reins of the farm to younger family members who, naturally, are interested in farming, thus sustaining the family farm into the future.”
“As I did in the previous debate, I declare an interest as a partner in a farm business. <BR /> <BR />This is a welcome opportunity for the House to send out a united and resolute message to the Labour Government that this tax raid on farmers cannot be tolerated. I encourage all farmers, and, indeed, anyone with an interest in protecting our ability to produce food and be custodians of the environment, to record their opposition to the Treasury's callous and mad decision. I cannot recall a more direct threat to the future of farming than the decision in question. I have taken a considerable number of representations from farmers who are absolutely irate about the Labour tax raid. They see it, as I do, as a direct attack on farming. It is hard to imagine a worse or more backward policy than that which the Treasury has announced.”
“<BR /> <BR />Wildlife is certainly an area in which more action is required, especially given what we know already about wildlife transmission. While there are indeed complexities in the issue of wildlife carriers, there is a need to tackle the matter and not to shy away from it. I welcome any renewed focus from the AERA Minister. I know that many farmers who have experienced TB in their herds would welcome genuine efforts to address that destructive disease.”
“<BR /> <BR />With the first half of 2024 having seen a 22·5% increase in reactor animals compared with the same period last year, there has never been a greater need for action. One in 10 farms has experienced TB breakdown in the past year. Those are worrying statistics, and they must focus the mind of the Department on taking meaningful action. For too long, there has been delay after delay, and, as time passes, statistics show that the problem simply gets worse. With a worsening disease scenario, the cost to the taxpayer increases even more. I agree that the situation is unsustainable. That, however, must be the call to action to drive down the spiralling incidence levels. The spiralling cost to the taxpayer must be the catalyst for change in responding to the disease.”
“That having been said, I have a major issue with any moves to reduce the compensation paid to farmers for their impacted animals, as farmers are doing all in their power to limit the spread of the disease. Many aspects of the disease are outside their control. <BR /> <BR />One concerning issue that I have spoken about consistently is the lack of perceivable and meaningful action on the eradication of bovine TB from the Department. Other regions are much more active on eradication, but, sadly, the situation in Northern Ireland has remained static for many years, and the statistics clearly show where inaction has taken us. There has not been the same momentum or enthusiasm from the Department in Northern Ireland, and there is clearly much room for progress.”
“I declare an interest as a partner in a livestock farm business. Bovine TB is an important issue and one that has generated significant concern for many years among the farming community in Northern Ireland. It is a battle that continues to rage, and much more could be done by the Department to drive down rates of disease effectively. Bovine TB is extremely costly to Northern Ireland, as has been said by other contributors. It cost £56 million last year and, according to the Minister, is estimated to top £60 million in the current year. Both figures are staggering amounts of money and represent a significant drain on departmental budgets.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. The Minister will be aware from last night's rally of the strength of feeling among farmers about the issue of planning and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. There are 200 applications in the system, many of which are for replacement buildings on farms. Has the Minister found or is he trying to find a solution to the situation?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Agriculture plays a key role in the Northern Ireland economy, and the agri-food sector employs over 100,000 people or thereabouts. Indeed, Northern Ireland produces food for 10 million people in the UK. Will the Minister undertake to work constructively with the sector and its representatives to ensure that climate change targets do not irreversibly damage the sector?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. If Marlborough House were to be listed, would that mean that it could not be demolished?”
“With 25,900 active farm businesses in Northern Ireland employing roughly 51,000 people, it is important that the magnitude and seriousness of the issue be fully understood. Let the focus be on dealing with this issue in a manner that sees support delivered to assist our industry with the considerable pressures that are coming down the line. I support amendment No 2.”
“There must be urgent action on the issue of farm support payments. Our party's amendment rightly calls for:”
“The DUP lobbied and leant heavily on the previous Government to ensure that payments remained at pre-2020 levels for the duration of their tenure. That was important in order to provide security and confidence for producers. <BR /> <BR />Extremely challenging targets are coming down the tracks. I am on record as saying that the changes to address climate change are much too large a challenge and will be much too costly, yet they are the law. Those requirements will, of course, apply to all aspects of industry in Northern Ireland, including the agriculture industry. However, agriculture is unlike any other industry. The costs that farmers are struggling to pay cannot be passed on at the stroke of a pen. They sadly do not have that power at their disposal. As I said, processors and retailers have significant authority in regard to farming.”
“Yet, through those challenging times, our farmers had to somehow function and find a path through in order to maintain a high-quality supply of food to our nation. <BR /> <BR />Profitability is certainly not guaranteed for any farmer. It continues to be a challenge, and there is a squeeze on the industry by processors and retailers that continually tighten the screw on our farming community. Input costs of feed, fuel and energy fluctuate massively, as do the prices of fertilisers, seeds and machinery and general upkeep costs. Indeed, many of those costs have doubled since 2020. That is why the payment support system has been a vital part of farming; it must continue. <BR /> <BR />Farm incomes fell by 46% in 2023-24.”
“I declare an interest as a partner in a farm business that is in receipt of the basic farm payment. <BR /> <BR />There is no question that the basic farm payment scheme has played a pivotal part in farming in Northern Ireland. Our industry could not have done without it over the years. A continual theme in our agri-food industry is that the farmer is at the bottom of our supply chain. As an individual, that farmer has to absorb disruption associated with the global marketplace and still be able to function as a business. That is not easy, and we can think immediately of the crises over the years that have beset the industry, including, to name but a few, BSE, foot-and-mouth disease and COVID. At the moment, there is a serious issue with bovine TB.”
“Will the Minister undertake to raise with the Government at Westminster an inflationary increase to direct payments to farmers, given that, in recent years, inflation on direct payments has reduced in real terms the amount of money that farmers receive?”
“The Minister is aware that farm incomes fell to 46% in 2023-24 and that the basic farm payments are vital for the viability of many farms. I congratulate and commend his Department on getting basic farm payments out on 1 September; ours was one of the only regions in the UK to do so.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. What else can he commit to in support of the work of the Ulster-Scots Agency and that of the many other organisations that support the Ulster-Scots tradition?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Has there been any increase in pension credit uptake, given the shocking announcement by the Labour Government?”
“The deputy First Minister will agree that addressing violence against women and girls is vital for a safer society. Can the Minister outline what funding, which she mentioned, is available to ensure that the draft strategic framework can be implemented?”
“The vast majority of farmers want to play their part in reducing pollution in Lough Neagh and the benefits of that. As the Minister said, there are new technologies that can make a big difference to slurry and manures. Will the Minister give an undertaking that he will try to get funding through the Executive to ensure that those new technologies can be brought forward?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I welcome that, in paragraph 42, he states:”
“I thank the Member for her response. Is the Member aware of any plans to increase the number of electric charging points at Parliament Buildings?”
“Paragraph 12 of the statement mentions that the NSMC "acknowledged the progress achieved" on improving air quality. Will the Minister update us on what progress has been achieved?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Will he accept that his Department was too slow in making that decision? There was a backlog, and the situation was diabolical before the decision was made.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. One of the main issues is sight lines at junctions. Contractors are inclined to take one swathe with a width of around 1 metre or 1·5 metres, which is totally unacceptable and still does not give a clear sight line. The Minister needs to look at that issue.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. To add to the Deputy Chair's question, TB is a serious issue. Was it discussed at the meeting yesterday, or was it not? It is important to learn lessons from the situation in the Irish Republic, where levels of TB are much lower than ours.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Does he accept that the recent figures showing that 14,000 16-to-24-year-olds in Northern Ireland are not in employment, training or education are too high?”
“That is a message that all parties can get behind. I trust that that will be the case in the House today.”
“We have been assured by the British Government that that will happen in the next few months. I am not going to give you an exact time frame, but I am assured that it will happen before the autumn. <BR /> <BR />The can cannot be kicked down the road on the issue indefinitely. I sense a prioritising of the issue. The various advisory groups and officials who have been tasked to work on the issue should redouble their efforts to ensure that the solution that is arrived at is robust and meets the needs of our industry in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The motion and amendment seek to consolidate the message that progress must be made swiftly by the UK and the EU in the window of time that is available in order to provide certainty for our agri-food industry. Veterinary practices and suppliers must be replaced by a durable solution.”
“The amendment seeks to reiterate the commitment to action as issued by the British Government to urgently find a durable solution to the matter, whilst, of course, space will be given to find a long-term agreement with the EU on the supply of medicines. It is also worth highlighting that the Government are on record stating that they will shortly set out plans to introduce legislation in order to avoid new regulatory divergence between Great Britain and Northern Ireland on veterinary medicines. Now is the time to see those —.”
“Work that the House of Lords Windsor Framework Sub-Committee inquiry has undertaken to date estimates that around 35% of medicines that are currently available would be at risk. That includes important medicines such as the botulism vaccine. The potential scenario where such medicine would be unavailable is not an outcome that our industry can tolerate, and there is a real sense that the British Government need to fix it. <BR /> <BR />The 'Safeguarding the Union' Command Paper explicitly recognises the importance of the continued supply of veterinary medicines. The document refers specifically to the fact that a grace period is in place. The Government are committed to a long-term solution that guarantees the free flow of trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />The DUP, in its negotiations with the Government, prioritised the threat to the supply of veterinary medicines. The 'Safeguarding the Union' Command Paper included the commitment by the British Government to establish a veterinary medicines working group, whose task it is to study, report and advise the Government on solutions to effectively address the issue. As a lifelong farmer, I know all too well about the importance of access to high-quality veterinary medicines. It is, literally, a lifeline for sick animals. Farmers only want to do the best that they can for their animals, given the importance of animals and their livestock to their farm businesses.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of the amendment. The amendment seeks to put further meat on the bone on the action by those in the British Government who have direct responsibility for resolving the issue and, in the longer term, preventing the uncertainty that continually manifests itself in this important matter. The current arrangements amount to a grace period and will exist until 2025. It is vital that, within the available time frame, all opportunities are grasped to find a durable solution to the issue. The prospect of Northern Ireland losing access to vital veterinary medicines that are in Great Britain would have a huge and detrimental impact on our agriculture industry, with many negative knock-on impacts on animal health, disease control and animal welfare.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Does she accept that the number of police being injured in those circumstances is totally unacceptable and that more needs to be done to deal with it?”
“My colleague Mr Buckley raised concerns about planning applications. It is a major issue on the ground. We have had planning applications in for two to three years and there is still no response. Farming needs to be able to compete in the modern world. We produce food. It is our main industry in Northern Ireland. This situation cannot go on, and the Minister needs to address it. I do not think that he answered Mr Buckley's question.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Given the challenges associated with landfill, I believe that we create a bigger problem for future generations by dumping stuff in landfills. We have landfill sites all over Northern Ireland. Does the Minister agree that there has to be a better way of disposing of waste?”
“Have the Executive discussed the serious issue of veterinary medicines, and, as far as she is aware, has the AERA Minister made any efforts to resolve it?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Does she accept that farmers and growers suffered horrendously due to the flooding? Many lost very heavily. They see businesses being compensated, but there is no help for them. Does the Minister understand their frustration?”
“I, along with my colleagues, saw at first hand on Friday the pain and hurt of the Kingsmills families. The coroner's deliberations were stark: the gunmen ordered 12 workmen off a work minibus and told the one Catholic to run. The bloodthirsty murderers not only shot those men but shot them again as they lay on the ground dying. One man, Alan Black, survived, even though he was shot 18 times. I pay tribute to Alan for his dignity over many years. All that Alan wants is justice. Not one person has ever been brought to book for those horrendous murders. I stand with my colleagues in calling for an independent inquiry. We need to know the truth about what happened, and we need to see results and answers.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Does he accept that if the Department goes ahead and cuts compensation to 75% of the value of the stock, it will create financial hardship for many families?”