Declan McAleer
West Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“The regulations are designed to strengthen and complement the existing framework governing the welfare of animals at the time of killing. They build upon EU regulation 1099/2009 and the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing Regulations 2014, ensuring that the North maintains high standards of animal welfare.”
“Inspectors are granted clear powers to enforce the regulations, including the ability to enter premises, carry out inspections and, where necessary, seize evidence to ensure compliance. Enforcement notices may also be issued where breaches are identified, with appropriate mechanisms in place for appeal.”
“<BR /> <BR />From a resource point of view, which is another key debate, and looking at the practicalities of the Bill, we must not create a situation in which councils will be expected to take on significant new responsibilities, incur substantial costs and manage increased workloads without the necessary resources.”
“I will follow on from the key points made by my colleague Aoife Finnegan MLA. First, I record our appreciation of the Committee staff, including Janice and Glenda, for the work that they did. I also thank the Bill Office for its assistance during our scrutiny of the Bill.”
“We support the ambition of the Bill — we made that clear at First Stage and at Committee Stage, and we have made it clear today — to give councils stronger powers to intervene. However, the stronger powers must be accompanied by a framework that is properly resourced, legally robust and workable.”
“There are three council areas in our West Tyrone constituency, for instance. <BR /> <BR />We heard a lot from NILGA and received correspondence from SOLACE about the costs and the fear that costs could not be recovered. If legal challenges were brought to councils about notices that were made, it would be costly to the ratepayer.”
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“Inspectors are granted clear powers to enforce the regulations, including the ability to enter premises, carry out inspections and, where necessary, seize evidence to ensure compliance. Enforcement notices may also be issued where breaches are identified, with appropriate mechanisms in place for appeal. <BR /> <BR />In summary, the measures provide a robust and proportionate approach to improving animal welfare oversight in slaughterhouses, enhancing accountability and reinforcing public confidence in the system. We support the regulations.”
“The regulations are designed to strengthen and complement the existing framework governing the welfare of animals at the time of killing. They build upon EU regulation 1099/2009 and the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing Regulations 2014, ensuring that the North maintains high standards of animal welfare. <BR /> <BR />The key provision is the requirement for slaughterhouse operators to install and operate CCTV systems in all areas where live animals are present. That measure is intended to promote transparency, support compliance and provide reassurance that welfare standards are being upheld consistently. In addition, operators must retain footage for a period of 90 days, ensuring that records are available for inspection if required.”
“Our position is a balanced one. We support the parts of the Bill that will give councils meaningful powers to tackle dangerous and defective properties. However, where significant concerns remain about legal uncertainty, financial exposure, operational capacity and the absence of dedicated council funding, we will not support those provisions.”
“There are three council areas in our West Tyrone constituency, for instance. <BR /> <BR />We heard a lot from NILGA and received correspondence from SOLACE about the costs and the fear that costs could not be recovered. If legal challenges were brought to councils about notices that were made, it would be costly to the ratepayer. In other jurisdictions where comparable powers are in place, local authorities are provided with the resources to ensure that the powers can be exercised effectively. That is the standard that we should aim for.”
“<BR /> <BR />From a resource point of view, which is another key debate, and looking at the practicalities of the Bill, we must not create a situation in which councils will be expected to take on significant new responsibilities, incur substantial costs and manage increased workloads without the necessary resources. When I looked through the Committee report, I saw that those issues kept being raised by councils and many other stakeholders who spoke about support, resourcing, the review — I appreciate that a review clause has been added — and the fact that the powers are discretionary. <BR /> <BR />During the Committee Stage, it was also said that there 11 councils in the North, each of which has its local development plan (LDP). It will be a challenge to achieve consistency across the North.”
“We support the ambition of the Bill — we made that clear at First Stage and at Committee Stage, and we have made it clear today — to give councils stronger powers to intervene. However, the stronger powers must be accompanied by a framework that is properly resourced, legally robust and workable. We have taken a considered view on all of the amendments. Aoife has outlined our position on the amendments. Basically, we will support the amendments that, we feel, strengthen the workable provisions of the Bill and improve its practical implementation.”
“I will follow on from the key points made by my colleague Aoife Finnegan MLA. First, I record our appreciation of the Committee staff, including Janice and Glenda, for the work that they did. I also thank the Bill Office for its assistance during our scrutiny of the Bill. We have had more than 22 Committee sessions on the Bill, so we have given it due consideration. <BR /> <BR />I am frustrated, as many Members are, by the long-standing dereliction in our constituencies — in towns and villages across the district. That was reflected on by Daniel McCrossan, who is a West Tyrone constituency colleague of mine. People want to see action, and they have a right to expect us, as legislators, to provide councils with effective tools to address the issues.”
“Minister, one farmer of many whom I met at the weekend told me that he has spent over £20,000 on a planning application on which no decision has yet been made. Has the Department carried out any assessment of the financial impact of the delays in responses on the farming community, some of whom are trying to get approval for essential projects, such as slurry storage or new or improved livestock housing?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answer. My office, that of my colleague Órfhlaith Begley MP and those of all the other elected representatives in West Tyrone have been contacted by families who have had to travel considerable distances outside the constituency to access specialist education for their young children. Does the Minister agree that that is disruptive for the young people, costs the families and is at odds with the Department's statutory responsibilities under the Rural Needs Act 2016 and other equality legislation?”
“I have repeatedly raised the poultry litter issue with you and with the Departments, North and South. Farmers in the South want poultry litter, and farmers in the North want to export it, given the phosphorus (P) surplus here and P deficit in the South. Have there been any discussions at ministerial level to help resolve the issue, which would complement nutrient management across the island?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Have there been any discussions at North/South Ministerial Council level on the issue of strengthening all-island cooperation on nutrient management, particularly in light of the phosphate surplus that we have in the North versus the deficit in the South and the fact that farmers are not allowed to export phosphates to the South to redress the balance?”
“Thank you, Minister. The previous Member touched on the A5. I am heartened to hear that the A5 remains a key priority for the NSMC. Have the Dublin Government reaffirmed their commitment to that project?”
“Given that the areas in question are areas of natural constraint (ANCs), has the Minister given any further consideration to the implementation of an ANC scheme to support grazing livestock as a land management tool in those areas to prevent the risk of wildfires in the future?”
“<BR /> <BR />I encourage families and visitors to support local producers by coming to the Balmoral show and enjoying all that it has to offer. Events such as the Balmoral show are essential to showcasing our shared heritage, while looking towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. Sinn Féin will, once again, have a stand at the show: you will find us at stand 77 in the Eikon Exhibition Centre. Be sure to call to our stand and, indeed, the stands of all the exhibitors, when you visit the show between tomorrow and Saturday. I wish everyone who is taking part an enjoyable and successful Balmoral show. I pay particular tribute to the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society on what will be another fantastic Balmoral show.”
“I am pleased to welcome the return of the Balmoral show this week. It starts tomorrow, Wednesday, and runs until Saturday. The Balmoral show is a key event in our agricultural calendar and is an important celebration of rural communities. Tens of thousands of people will visit the Balmoral show this week. It is one of the biggest and most vibrant agricultural shows in the country. The Balmoral show is an opportunity to showcase all that is good about our farming and rural communities. It is an opportunity to recognise the hard work, resilience and dedication of farmers, producers, rural organisations and rural workers, who are at the heart of our local economy. The show highlights the strength of our agri-food sector and the vital role that it plays in sustaining communities and supporting livelihoods.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. If unionists are so confident in their not-so-United Kingdom, does the deputy First Minister support calls for the people here to decide our collective futures in a unity referendum, as set out in the Good Friday Agreement?”
“Careful scrutiny reduces the risk of unintended consequences and helps to ensure that legislation is both effective and practical. <BR /> <BR />In summary, extension of Committee Stage would support a more robust and inclusive legislative process, ultimately strengthening the Bill and its impact.”
“The motion proposes to extend the Committee Stage of the ANC Bill to allow for more thorough scrutiny. Given the Bill's importance to farmers operating in challenging environments, it is essential that the Committee has adequate time to examine its provisions in detail. The Bill provides financial support to those who farm in areas where natural constraints limit productivity. The payments are vital in sustaining rural livelihoods and supporting environmental management. <BR /> <BR />Extending Committee Stage would enable deeper engagement with stakeholders, including farmers and rural organisations, and ensure that their perspectives are properly considered. Additional time would also allow the Committee to assess key elements such as eligibility, payment levels and long-term sustainability.”
“<BR /> <BR />The reality is that the status quo is not working. Costs are too high and the burden on farmers too great. The impacts on our economy, our environment and public health are too serious to ignore when dealing with a disease that affects every part of our rural fabric. It is time for decisive, coordinated action.”
“<BR /> <BR />If we are serious about eradication, as we must be, we need a coordinated, eradication-focused approach that tackles all drivers of the disease. That includes cattle measures, strengthened biosecurity and targeted, science-led wildlife intervention to reduce breakdown risks. The TB eradication partnership's blueprint provides a pathway forward, and additional funding through the Shared Island initiative is very welcome. The regional cooperation programme, which is backed by €6·4 million in additional funding, is a practical step towards a coordinated cross-border approach. However, concerns have been raised, including by the Ulster Farmers' Union, that the pilot area may not reflect the full reality of the disease across the North. That must be addressed if we are to have confidence in its outcomes.”
“It also has implications for domestic food security and the competitiveness of our export. <BR /> <BR />Despite all that, there is a growing perception that action is not matched by the scale of the urgency of the problem. On the issue of wildlife intervention, there has been considerable focus on the judicial review. It is important to be clear that the case was not whether a badger cull should or should not take place. Rather, it was about the process of consultation. The court found that the Department had breached the Gunning principles by failing to provide sufficient information and failing to carefully consider consultation responses. Crucially, the judgement made no comment on the merits of the policy itself. What is required now is a lawful, transparent and robust consultation process without any further delay.”
“It is a long-term structural problem not a short-term issue, and it affects not only farm profitability but mental health, family life and the sustainability of rural communities. <BR /> <BR />Earlier this year, I asked the Department to outline the economic cost of rising bTB levels, and the response was stark. In 2025, more than 20,000 cattle were culled from farms as part of disease control measures. That level of loss disrupts breeding programmes, reduces milk output, delays sales and cuts farm income. Compensation alone is projected to exceed £55 million this financial year. That is an unsustainable trajectory for farmers and the public purse. The impact extends far beyond individual farms; it affects livestock marts, processors, rural employment and the wider agri-food supply chain.”
“<BR /> <BR />The failure to tackle bTB is also reflected in the growing cost to the public purse. The Department estimates that bTB will cost between £65 million and £66 million in the 2025-26 financial year, which is an increase on the £60·1 million spent last year. A substantial proportion of that is compensation for culled animals. Year after year, costs rise, cattle are culled, and farmers pay the price while the underlying drivers of the disease remain unresolved. That is not a sustainable strategy; it is an expensive cycle that we can no longer afford. <BR /> <BR />We also cannot ignore the human impact. The stress, uncertainty and emotional toll on farming families are very real.”
“A major independent study commissioned by the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU), the Livestock and Meat Commission and the Dairy Council found that the indirect cost to farmers is estimated at £96 million a year, with a total economic cost rising to approximately £156 million annually when departmental spending is included. That underlines the truth that bTB is not just an animal health issue; it is a major economic crisis for our farming sector. <BR /> <BR />More than half of those costs occur in herds that have not even experienced a breakdown. That tells us that the disease creates a constant baseline burden across the entire industry. Farmers are dealing with production losses, additional labour, cash flow pressures, increased biosecurity costs and environmental inefficiencies, even when they are not directly affected by an outbreak.”
“Research, including findings highlighted in 'Acting on methane: opportunities for the UK cattle and sheep sectors', shows that premature culling driven by bTB policy is not just an animal health failure but a climate failure. By shortening the herd longevity and forcing higher replacement rates, early removal of cattle increases methane emissions. <BR /> <BR />The Department has acknowledged that bTB-related culling undermines lifetime productivity and can worsen greenhouse gas outcomes, particularly where stocking rates remain high, yet policy continues to prioritise short-term responses over long-term disease control measures that would better serve farmers, the environment and our climate commitments. <BR /> <BR />The scale of the economic burden is stark.”
“The motion is on an issue of immense importance to the agriculture community. It goes far beyond animal health and strikes at the heart of our rural economy, environment and public health. I will begin by stating that we tabled a similar motion in the House in November 2024, and it is unfortunate that, a year and a half later, we are still having the same debate. <BR /> <BR />Today's motion recognises that high levels of disease, including bovine tuberculosis (bTB), undermine environmental sustainability by increasing resource use per unit of food produced and contributing to higher greenhouse gas emissions. That is not an abstract theory; it is borne out by evidence.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Minister, I have spoken to a lot of young people and families who highlighted the importance of the REACH programme in helping young people with examination stress, school refusal, anxiety and many other issues. In recent correspondence, the EA said that it had ceased the programme because of a lack of funding from the Department of Education and would re-evaluate that in the future. Might you also re-evaluate the decision to fund the REACH programme?”
“I hope to see the festival return to Carrickmore again in the future.”
“They were struck by the friendliness and warmth of the local community. From the Patrician Hall itself to the shops, accommodation and local bars, a lasting impression was made. The sense of community is something truly special and reflects great credit on Carrickmore. With thousands of visitors travelling from across the island, the event was a celebration not only of drama but of culture, hospitality and local pride. <BR /> <BR />To the organisers, volunteers and the wider community, I say "Maith sibh".”
“I am delighted to take this opportunity to commend the organisers of the Mid Ulster Drama Festival for their outstanding work in hosting last weekend's all-Ireland confined drama finals in Carrickmore. Since its beginnings, the Mid Ulster Drama Festival has grown into something truly incredible. Hosting those all-Ireland finals was no small undertaking and was delivered with true professionalism, warmth and pride. <BR /> <BR />The Patrician Hall is an excellent host venue, and it welcomed nine drama groups from eight counties to the stage. Over the course of the festival, audiences were treated to performances of exceptional quality, complemented by a venue that impressed performers and spectators alike. The standard of drama was second to none, and visiting groups echoed that message.”
“Those issues do not undermine the case for biomethane, but they reinforce the need for a careful, structured, stable and long-term support framework. <BR /> <BR />Biomethane represents a genuine opportunity to deliver energy security, environmental responsibility and rural economic development. With the right policy frameworks, safeguards and impact assessments in place —.”
“<BR /> <BR />For those reasons, a rural impact assessment is essential to understand how different regions, particularly west of the Bann, will be affected by changes in feedstock demand, infrastructure investment and market access. Alongside that, an equality impact assessment is necessary to ensure that policy design does not unintentionally favour larger corporate operators over smaller farms, community projects or rural enterprises and that opportunities are distributed fairly across scale and geography. <BR /> <BR />Finally, we must also look at questions around long-term affordability and viability. Current evidence suggests a gap between production costs and proposed subsidy levels, which raises important considerations about how the sector will be supported sustainably without placing undue pressure on consumers or taxpayers.”
“Without careful policy design, there is a risk that that imbalance could widen, leaving smaller rural and community-based projects at a disadvantage. <BR /> <BR />It is also important to ensure that farmers and small producers are not displaced in their own supply chains. Increasing demand for grass, silage and slurry as feedstocks could place upward pressure on land rental values and alter traditional agricultural practices. That underlines the importance of ensuring fair pricing mechanisms and maintaining the viability of livestock farming alongside biomethane development. In addition, while export opportunities for biomethane and associated certificates may increase revenues for larger operators, we must ensure that the primary objective remains strengthening local energy resilience and delivering value in the North's rural economy.”
“I agree with the Member. I was going to come to that later in my contribution. It is important that we look at waste and slurry, because we do not want the situation where farmers compete with large-scale AD plants for silage. That needs to be managed. <BR /> <BR />If the opportunity is to be fully realised, it must be delivered in a way that is regionally balanced and economically fair. Large anaerobic digestion plants and corporate operators are naturally best positioned to benefit from economies of scale and access to finance and export markets. Many of the facilities are concentrated east of the Bann, while key feedstocks such as silage are more abundant west of the Bann. I should point out that, certainly as of 2024, according to the ministerial response to a question that I asked, there are no AD plants in County Fermanagh.”
“That could play an important role in unlocking a more efficient and environmentally responsible use of agricultural resources.”
“That would support more sustainable nutrient management, as Patsy said a while ago, and overall soil fertility. Biomethane has real potential to strengthen both energy and food security in a joined-up way. <BR /> <BR />A scaled and well-designed biomethane sector could also provide significant benefits for rural economies. Farm businesses supplying slurry, silage and other organic materials could develop new income streams, while improved nutrient-recovery systems could also address environmental pressures such as phosphorus and ammonia surpluses. Most of us on the AERA Committee had the opportunity to go to see the small business research initiative, funded by DAERA, in action just up the road at the Blakiston Houston Estate. It showed that innovation in slurry processing and nutrient separation is already under way.”
“It is timely that we start looking strategically at how we can look at the likes of slurry as a resource and an opportunity as opposed to waste or a by-product. <BR /> <BR />Biomethane offers clear advantages. It reduces our reliance on imported fossil fuels, helps to insulate households and businesses from global price volatility and contributes directly to decarbonisation targets by displacing natural gas in the energy mix. In addition, the circular nature of anaerobic digestion means that waste streams are converted into renewable energy, while digestate can be returned to the land. With fertiliser prices now in the region of £700 a ton, it is a good opportunity to look at that circular economy and how those prices can also be cut.”
“I welcome the motion. It is timely and appropriate. There is strong merit in the direction set out in the motion, particularly in recognising biomethane as a reliable and indigenous energy source that can support the North's energy security, strengthen our agri-food sector and contribute meaningfully to environmental protection. Given the volumes of slurry, poultry litter and food waste that we produce, anaerobic digestion presents a practical opportunity to turn what has traditionally been a nutrient and waste challenge into a strategic asset for energy and agriculture. The timing is good, because those of us from rural areas know that this has been a very long and wet winter with the cattle being inside. Farmers need to get out for the slurry, because the tanks are nearly full.”
“Minister, can you give an assurance that the climate action plan and the actions that flow from it will be underpinned by the principles of just transition?”
“I welcome the Minister's statement. Minister, the recent stories about AFBI have had an impact on public confidence. Are you confident that your action plan and the measures that you are putting in place will go some way towards increasing public confidence?”
“I am glad that the Member mentioned that. I was going to ask for an intervention during Robbie's contribution, but he was very kind to those on the DUP Benches, so I did not ask him for one. I was going to make this point about farmers. Does the Member agree that it is a fact that the largest dairy companies here, which are partnered with very large dairy companies across the water in Britain and across Europe, have very firm targets to reach net zero by 2050? Those targets are driven by consumer demand, so if we were to start to play around with our targets here, we would seriously damage the dairy industry here.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I apologise for not being in my place during TEO Question Time.”
“Yes. Thank you for that, Gerry. Another interesting thing that we have achieved tonight is a bit of unity between the DUP and the Alliance Party, which are usually at each other's throats in the Chamber. That has been interesting. <BR /> <BR />To conclude, I thank Bronwyn McGahan, a Sinn Féin policy officer who has been working hard on the Bill for a long time. I thank the Bill Office team for getting us to this stage. Hopefully, the Bill will get the chance to proceed to Committee Stage. I thank all Members for a reasonably healthy debate today, and I commend the Bill to the House.”
“I thank the Minister for his intervention. The point that I am trying to make is that there is headroom. It is not the case that every penny is spent. There is headroom, in the sense that there were reduced requirements in the notice that the Committee got this year.”
“There was a reduced requirement of £4·9 million as a result of vacancies; a reduced requirement of £3·1 million from PEACE PLUS; a reduced requirement of £2·9 million from Windsor framework unfilled vacancies; a slippage of £0·8 million from the Larne facilities lease; and a reduced requirement of £2·7 million from NI council boundary regulations and inspections. You may wish to provide clarification, Minister, but I also presume that your Department's resource requirement for checks will decrease, particularly if there is a UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement.”
“The point that I made was that the Bill is not about allocating money but about providing the legislative framework for doing so. The funding aspect would be thrashed out in regulations, which would now come forward in the next mandate. I said that my view, which you share, Minister, is that the farm sustainability pot is already overstretched, particularly given the 17% cut, so funding should not come out of that. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you have more access to information on your Department's finances and budgets than I do. I used the example of the reduced requirements in the December monitoring round.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister made the point that there are 10,000 farms in SDAs, and he talked about how the transition had started to benefit those areas. He mentioned the suckler scheme, the Farming with Nature scheme and the previous ANC scheme, which operated under ministerial direction. He also talked about the budgetary constraints. There is nothing that the Minister or any Member talked about that cannot be discussed in Committee at the next stage.”
“<BR /> <BR />Claire Sugden talked about the impact of the pressures on farm families and on the land in her constituency of East Derry. Support is important for upland landscapes. Claire helpfully reiterated the point that no policy should pit one farmer against another: I am determined not to do that. She also made the really important point that the Bill comes from the needs of farmers. It is not something that we have made up for political purposes; it is coming from the needs of farmers. We did not make it up on a whim; we have been banging on about it for years and have been getting it in the neck every time we have gone out. We did an extensive public consultation and have been out around the marts in different places, chatting to hundreds of farmers, so we know that the need is there.”
“You are definitely bouncing me here, so you are, Gerry. Yes, of course: farmers who work in ANC are the most environmentally friendly farmers of them all. They cannot have a lot of stock because of the nature of the territory. Most of the farms are in areas of natural constraint. Under the 2018 scheme, like any farmer, you had to abide by and comply with environmental standards. As I said, farmers are already doing that. In correspondence, Ulster Wildlife, the National Trust and the RSPB made the point that there is huge overlap between ANC and conservation areas. Hopefully, we will get the chance to thrash out those matters at Committee Stage, and, hopefully, Gerry, we will have a chance to see you at the Committee.”
“He drew attention to the TB funding and made a really good point that I did not mention, which was that over £70 million of the Department's budget is spent on TB every year and that, if we could get to grips with that problem, the money saved would be an obvious source of funding for the ANC scheme. <BR /> <BR />Gerry Carroll is already actively exploring amendments to link nature restoration to the Bill when it reaches Committee Stage. Gerry, I hope that you will get a chance to do that.”