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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“The risk of the supply of medicines being discontinued has been reduced due to some supply lines being amended, meaning that supply can be re-routed through the South rather than Britain. I encourage the continuation of negotiations to further reduce the number of medicines whose supply to the North is discontinued. <BR /> <BR />The agri-food sector is a vital indigenous industry. There are over 20,000 small family farms in the North. A report produced recently by Rural Support, a charity based in Cookstown, highlighted an increase in family farm referrals, with the main concern being financial issues resulting in an impact on mental health. It is vital that there is no additional risk to the viability of small farms as a result of a reduction of access to veterinary medicines. Our food and drink industry is recognised as world-class.”
“<BR /> <BR />The EU-UK Joint Committee is a key instrument for agriculture and agri-food trade, and we have always appreciated the significant role that it has played in adopting solutions to lead us on a more sustainable path that promotes food security and protection for rural communities. An EU-UK veterinary agreement would be helpful, but the British Government are opposed to it. Last year, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate indicated that supply to the North of over 50% of medicines was at risk of being discontinued. Recent information from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) shows that that figure has reduced to approximately 35%.”
“I support the motion. The North faces serious and exceptional challenges with regard to post-Brexit trade, and there are serious concerns about the future of veterinary medicines. Before Christmas 2022, an extension to the current grace period for importing veterinary medicines, which was due to end on 31 December 2022, was granted until the end of December 2025. That eliminated, at that stage, the risk of the discontinuation of supply of over 50% of products. Thankfully, the extension was deemed necessary by the European Union, although it has stated that it will be the last extension granted. Veterinary products available in the market in the North must comply with EU regulatory requirements by the start of 2026.”
“Will the Minister include looking at the under-representation of women in his new policy?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement, and I welcome it, particularly his comments that we need to call time on pitting agriculture and the environment against each other. I really welcome that. There are so many questions that I could ask, but I will try to narrow it. <BR /> <BR />Minister, tomorrow is the deadline for the single farm payment application for farmers — 15 May is cast in stone. Farmers are asking this: when they move to the new scheme, will their current entitlements carry over to the new scheme, and will they be of the same value? <BR /> <BR />Secondly, last year, when I was Chair of the Committee, I commissioned a report on the under-representation of the role of women in agriculture: 95% of main farm businesses are male-owned, and 96% of businesses in the development groups are male-owned.”
“I look forward to the Minister's statement tomorrow, which might shed some light on some of the plans going forward.”
“We were supported by our Assembly researchers, who provided a substantial briefing paper for that meeting and assisted us in exploring a range of issues, including those at Lough Neagh regarding the impacts from agriculture nutrients and animal and human sewage. That research briefing also noted the significant cross-cutting range of departmental responsibilities for Lough Neagh, including responsibilities for DAERA, DFC, DFI and DFE. The Committee will seek to support and assist the Minister as he produces a plan to tackle blue-green algae with evidence-based recommendations and to secure long-term water quality improvements. <BR /> <BR />At our planning meeting, the Committee also discussed —”
“The Committee accepts that there are many factors that contribute to the situation in Mobuoy, and we have also been briefed by PCI Consulting, which represents some of the affected residents and businesses. We will continue to engage with the Department to further explore the issue in the coming weeks. Like the Committee, NIEL is keen to see a climate action plan and the establishment of a just transition commission. <BR /> <BR />Having started to delve into these issues in the early months of the mandate, at our strategic meeting on 25 April, the Committee was keen to consider a balanced forward work plan across the remit of agriculture, environment and rural affairs.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee is mindful of the support that the agriculture sector will need, such as information and incentives, to be able to implement technologies to deal with environmental issues that the sector is keen to play its part in tackling. The Committee has concerns about the budget for the OEP, and, between them, DEFRA and DAERA must provide funding to enable the OEP to carry out its functions. <BR /> <BR />At our meeting on 21 March, we were briefed by Northern Ireland Environment Link. It highlighted to the Committee that it believes that the illegal dumping of waste at the Mobuoy site is a clear example of the failings of the current environmental enforcement, monitoring and regulatory system. In that body's view, it makes the case for the need for an independent environmental protection agency.”
“On nutrient enrichment of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, the OEP advised that that is one of the biggest environmental issues here and that the situation that we are witnessing at Lough Neagh is symptomatic of a wider issue. <BR /> <BR />In a recent briefing from the Ulster Farmers' Union, its representatives highlighted to the Committee the fact that the UFU has a vision of a productive, profitable and progressive farming sector that can deliver for the environment, for the consumer and for the economy. The UFU continues to work with DAERA on the Farming with Nature scheme, seeking a flexible agrienvironment scheme that pays farmers on the environmental results that they deliver as well as actions taken.”
“Its work covers here and England, and the representatives expressed to the Committee their dedication to fulfilling that role in a meaningful way. The Committee looks forward to working with them. The OEP highlighted some of the priority work, including the environmental improvement plan and the blueprint for how the NI Government plan to protect and improve our environment. The Committee wishes to see a high-quality EIP published as soon as possible. <BR /> <BR />The OEP also highlighted to the Committee the range of missed deadlines for environmental legislation, and, like the OEP, the Committee wishes to see urgency in the delivery of those, including the nutrient action plan, river basin management plans, the nature recovery strategy and the Climate Change Act.”
“In addition, the Committee highlighted the fact that the environmental improvement plan should be an urgent priority along with the climate action plans and that an increased focus on scientific solutions going forward and the work of AFBI and other research projects will be important. In fact, we highlighted to the Minister the fact that the soil sampling programme is a good example of the science at work. The Committee is also keen to consider the potential of anaerobic digesters for slurry management, and we plan to see those in action on a site visit soon. <BR /> <BR />On 21 March, the Committee had a briefing session with the Office for Environmental Protection, which was created by the Environment Act 2021 and is a body with a distinct role to play in holding government and other public authorities to account.”
“More recently, the Committee is aware that, in March 2024, the new AERA Minister stated that he was considering best options for environmental governance, including the benefits and costs of an IEPA. <BR /> <BR />On 22 February, Minister Muir briefed the Committee on his key challenges. It came as no surprise that among them were advancing an action plan to address the cause of algal bloom in Lough Neagh, the draft climate action plan and the environmental improvement plan. At that meeting, the Committee acknowledged that the problems in Lough Neagh were long-standing. We requested that the Minister start to look for some short- to medium-term solutions that might start to make a difference.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Committee. The Committee has taken evidence on and discussed a range of matters that the motion highlights. However, the Committee does not, at present, have a position on an independent environmental protection agency. <BR /> <BR />I will take the opportunity to share some of the issues that we have considered and to reassure the House that the Committee has started, and will continue, to support and scrutinise the Minister and Department in dealing with these issues. At a recent strategic meeting on 25 April, we were reminded in a RaISe briefing that the issue of environmental governance under the independent environmental protection agency (IEPA) has been discussed for over a decade.”
“I want to be associated with the Minister's comments on the passing of Jennifer Fulton and the sympathies that he extended to Norman and the family. <BR /> <BR />A recent survey from Rural Support in Cookstown indicated that there has been an increase in referrals to that charity as a consequence of financial distress. Can the Minister give any assurance to the farming community about future agricultural funding?”
“I agree with the deputy First Minister's reference to the fantastic Balmoral show. I was there this morning, and they are getting well prepared for it. Does she agree that we now need to see a plan to maximise the site's economic, historical and reconciliation benefits?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Will the Minister outline some of the specific benefits of the city and growth deals, and how many jobs she anticipates might be created?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. How does the introduction of TECs impact on those who may have to tax their vehicle or use vehicle recovery services?”
“I thank the Minister for his commitment. What is the potential timeline for any scheme to support the agri-food sector to be formulated and launched?”
“I welcome the Minister's response. In light of that, is he satisfied that his Department is fulfilling its statutory responsibilities under the Rural Needs Act 2016 to pay due regard to the needs of rural areas when developing and implementing policies?”
“The Minister will be more than aware that the project has been delayed by legal challenges and that, sadly, legal challenges have resulted in delays that have cost lives, no longer ago than last week. Are the Minister and his Department expecting further legal challenges to the project?”
“We call on the British Government to live up to their pre-Brexit pledge to replace EU funding pound for pound, because our farmers and rural communities need that degree of certainty.”
“The TB costs are in the region of £50 million. There is £38 million for compensation and just over £10 million for running the programme. The Department needs to get to grips with that, because if that cost could be brought down, it would free up additional funding and expenditure for other aspects of farm and rural support. Indeed, we were very scathing about the threats that were made by the Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, to impose new charges on farmers for bovine TB testing and future cuts to compensation. We feel that those are very punitive. <BR /> <BR />Farming and rural affairs are in the eye of a storm. We have Brexit, climate change and other world events like war, which have had a huge inflationary impact on input costs. That has all added to a sense of uncertainty.”
“Certainly, we welcome the £332·5 million for single farm payments in the 2024-25 financial year. As we know, that is really important income support for food-producing families and farms. We know that it is also important in keeping the cost down for consumers. While we welcome that funding for this year, the danger is that we have no future certainty about it. If we do not get certainty from the British Government, who pledged, pre-Brexit, that they would replace lost EU funding pound for pound, and if that ring-fenced budget is not continued, it could create a cliff edge for our farmers.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in the Supply resolution debate. As I said in my Member's statement, there are many issues facing the farming community. The Committee Chair touched on the some of those during his contribution, such as the reduction in spend on TRPSI. As we know, the tackling rural poverty and social isolation programme is an example of a relatively small amount of money going a long way in rural communities to deliver projects and programmes on the ground. We also know that farm support has not kept pace with inflation. <BR /> <BR />As I mentioned earlier, Brexit has had a huge detrimental impact. Now that we are out of the common agricultural policy, which was not perfect but did provide a seven-year budget, a level of uncertainty has been created.”
“— and global issues such as war have had an inflationary impact on costs.”
“<BR /> <BR />In conclusion, farmers in rural communities are in the eye of the storm. Brexit, which I mentioned earlier, has had a huge impact. We have also witnessed climate change, —”
“We, as a party, want to see farm support continue, and a multi-year ring-fenced budget must be returned post-2024-25. Otherwise, a cliff edge will be created for our farmers and primary producers. <BR /> <BR />An issue of major financial concern is the bovine tuberculosis (bTB) eradication programme. Officials highlighted that the bTB programme costs £10·4 million and that, in 2022-23, £38 million in compensation was paid, which was up from £19·5 million in 2019-2020. Too many farms are impacted by bTB at present. If we can get control of the disease, it should free up money to support other aspects of farming. Indeed, the threats by the British Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, to impose new charges on farmers for bovine TB testing and make future cuts to compensation payments for TB are punitive.”
“The ring-fenced budget for rural funding ended in December 2023. That funding had brought stability and certainty to rural communities. It provided the seven-year multi-annual budget for services and business development in local communities. There has been a reduction in the spend on the tackling rural poverty and social isolation (TRPSI) programme in this financial year. Our party wants to see the TRPSI programme retained and adequately financed. <BR /> <BR />Most of the budget is ring-fenced for farm support payments, and I welcome DAERA officials' confirmation of a farm support budget of £332·5 million for 2024-25. Despite that being welcome for this year, there is no clarity on a farm support budget beyond 2024-25. Our farmers and local food producers therefore have no certainty beyond that date.”
“In my capacity as Sinn Féin agriculture spokesperson, I welcome the opportunity to make some brief points. The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee received a briefing from departmental officials on the Department's budget. I note that the Department's approach is to protect core front-line services as much as possible. I will highlight some of the challenges that agriculture faces and the fact that they are considerable. <BR /> <BR />Brexit has been a particular challenge. The EU common agricultural policy, although nobody suggested that it was perfect, provided funding certainty, through a seven-year multi-annual budget. Courtesy of Brexit, however, we do not have that financial certainty at this point. In addition, Brexit delivered a huge cut to rural funding.”
“It makes more sense. There will be less land take for a proper dual carriageway, fewer properties demolished, reduced journey times, increased economic development and, most importantly, more lives will be saved by the construction of a new A5 dual carriageway. I welcome the debate.”
“However, if you drive 140 miles north-west from Dublin, you have the M1, single carriageway, two plus one, a bypass, the N2 and the notorious A5.”
“I recently drove 140 miles from Dublin to Limerick along the M7 and the M8.”
“It has been pointed out strongly that an offline dual carriageway is much safer and more durable in the long term. A new offline road that is properly built would have more integrity. The current A5 is crumbling, so good tar would be being put down on top of bad tar, and the road would continue to crumble. A new road would be much safer for those constructing it. A new offline dual carriageway would result in eight properties being demolished, but any alternatives that have been put forward suggest that at least 34 properties would need to be demolished. In short, there would be a bigger footprint from trying to develop an alternative solution to the A5 dual carriageway. Lanes and local roads would also have to be blocked and traffic diverted, so the footprint would be bigger. <BR /> <BR />Road consistency is another important factor.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will go back to my point that the dual carriageway is the only option. I know that the Alternative A5 Alliance talks about online options. It is important to point out that 1,300 individual lanes and little roads are connected to the existing A5 dual carriageway. As was said at a public meeting some years ago, every single one of those 1,300 roads and lanes is an accident waiting to happen. There is that deadly interface between the strategic traffic that is commuting between, say, Dublin and Derry or Donegal and local people who are dropping off their children at playgroup or going to school, mass or whatever. It is that deadly interface that causes so many accidents. <BR /> <BR />The offline dual carriageway is also much safer to construct.”
“Despite their grief and hardship, they keep the campaign going. It is the families that have really brought home to us what is needed: we need the A5 dual carriageway, and it must be a dual carriageway. <BR /> <BR />In November 2022, I submitted an FOI request to the PSNI for figures on road deaths. Before the A4 was dualled, between 1998 and 2010, there were, sadly, 40 deaths on that road. In the following 12 years, on the A4 dual carriageway, there were, sadly, two deaths. Two deaths is two too many, but we can see the huge differential in the rate of carnage. I am certain that many people are still alive who would not have been had that A4 dual carriageway not been constructed. Just as Maolíosa McHugh said earlier, I am 100% certain that we will see a safer route and more lives saved on the new A5 dual carriageway.”
“I am glad that we are having this debate this evening. It is great to have the Minister and, indeed, the Chair of the Committee for Infrastructure here. I welcome her comments and the comments of others that have been made so far in the debate. <BR /> <BR />It goes without saying that I heartily support the call for the construction of the new A5 dual carriageway. Last June, I participated in and sat through a public inquiry. I have to say that the most harrowing and compelling evidence for that new road was the stories from the loved ones — parents, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews — of all the people who have lost their life on that road. Far too many lives have been lost on that road; which is the most dangerous road in the country. We must bring that to an end. I pay tribute to the families.”
“Picking up on the theme of Mr McGlone's question, last year, the Department ceased the £1·2 million funding to councils for animal welfare. Is that something that the Minister will review?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her response. Does she acknowledge the importance that associating herself with that apology has for the victims?”
“<BR /> <BR />Securing all-island protective status will strengthen the hand of our farmers to showcase our local, distinctive, high-quality beef on the world stage. I and my party will continue to work with the Agriculture Ministers, North and South, to deliver for our farmers and to ensure that they can maximise every available opportunity to promote our world-class local farming industry.”
“It is a fantastic example of North/South working in partnership to make the most of our unique access to the European Union for the benefit of everyone. Our beef farmers, who have created and sustained worldwide recognition of such high-quality produce thoroughly deserve the acknowledgement. <BR /> <BR />The grass-based system of farming across Ireland makes our local beef unique. The PGI status recognises that high-quality standard for customers here and abroad. The granting of the all-island PGI status for Irish grass-fed beef through the EU Commission will help to deliver unique economic benefits for our food industry by increasing the North's share of beef exports to the European Union, which, in turn, will generate more money back into the local economy.”
“I take this opportunity to welcome the registration of Irish grass-fed beef as an all-island protected geographical indication (PGI). That designation will deliver significant benefits for our local beef farmers and the high-quality beef that they produce. I pay tribute to the Department here; the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Livestock and Meat Commission; Bord Bia; and, indeed, you, Mr Speaker, as a previous AERA Minister who did a lot of work to progress the designation. I was delighted to see our local Minister Muir join his counterpart, Minister McConalogue, at a joint event in County Donegal on Friday to mark the very special occasion.”
“<BR /> <BR />As a Sinn Féin MLA, I want to give a clear message to the British Government that we need to see the farm support continue post 2024 and a future budget ring-fenced, as was the case for the pillar 1 EU CAP payments. It is important to remind people who are not from a rural background that, preceding our leaving the EU, the single farm payment, which accounted for 80% to 90% of a farmer's income, came as a ring-fenced payment directly from the EU and was separate from our block grant. It is important to note that, when we were taken out of the EU, the UK Government promised that that lost EU funding would be replaced. That pledge needs to be stuck to. Certainly, I will implore the Executive, our Finance Minister and, indeed, the AERA Minister to ensure that that commitment is lived up to.”
“The uncertainty about what will replace the agriculture budget post 2024 for farming families, the rural economy and the agri-food supply chain could threaten the viability of agriculture production and have a negative impact on rural communities. That same uncertainty goes for the rural development programme, which was 50% funded by the EU when we were in it. In contrast, our neighbours in the South of Ireland have certainty: they have a six-year multi-annual budget from the common agricultural policy. Farmers in the North will struggle to survive and compete with their neighbours across the border, where there is a level of certainty about direct payments continuing beyond 2024. Indeed, that could distort both our ability to compete with our neighbours in the South and the all-island market.”
“The DAERA resource budget for 2023-24 has ring-fenced funding of £328·5 million for agriculture, the agrienvironment, the wider rural economy and fisheries. However, there is no certainty beyond 2024 about the budget for direct payments. Even more worryingly, the Labour Party in Britain has indicated that there will be a reduced farm budget if or when they are elected. <BR /> <BR />As a consequence of leaving the EU, we are no longer part of the EU common agricultural policy. The funding model here is now different, with resource money coming from one pot provided by the British Government since EU exit and managed annually. As we know, agriculture is a pillar of the local economy, and agriculture and food processing are island-wide industries.”
“The threats that we heard recently from the Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, to impose new charges on farmers for bovine TB testing and future cuts to compensation for TB are punitive. It is clear that the Tories are pursuing an ideological agenda that is punishing farmers and the wider public. Farmers, as we know, already face a range of challenges. The Chair of the AERA Committee touched on some of them, particularly those to do with TB. The proposed additional charges will place an extra burden and stress on farmers and their families, who are already struggling. <BR /> <BR />The Tory Government have slashed the block grant, so we must ensure that there is no differential impact on the section 75 groups. At all times, we must work to ensure equality of opportunity.”
“I am thankful for the opportunity to address the House on the Budget 2023-24. I will speak as Sinn Féin's spokesperson on agriculture, as a representative of a large rural constituency and as a member of the AERA Committee. I have a keen interest in achieving the long-term economic growth of our communities, rural and urban. It is welcome that the Executive are prioritising public-sector pay with an allocation of £688 million for our hard-working public-sector workers. <BR /> <BR />The DAERA statement on the 2023-24 Budget indicates that there will be major challenges ahead in meeting statutory and contractual commitments, with difficult decisions to be made.”
“I welcome the Minister to his position and look forward to working with him as a member of the AERA Committee. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for outlining the next steps in the remediation project. Is it possible, at this stage, to give indicative timescales for any of those steps?”
“I wish the Minister well in his appointment. I also wish the new Chair of the Committee for Infrastructure well in that position. No doubt, like me, she dodges a lot of potholes when making her way to the House from the west. <BR /> <BR />As an MLA who, like many, represents a dispersed rural constituency, I know that potholes and the state of our rural roads are serious issues. Does the Minister's statement today highlight the need for additional investment in our rural roads network? Now that the Assembly is going again, will the Minister be able to make better use of monitoring rounds to get additional investment to address the crumbling state of our roads?”
“I congratulate the Minister on his appointment. In March 2022, your predecessor, Minister McIlveen, announced a £14 million investment in Dean Maguirc College in Carrickmore. That is one of the 28 schools that are now paused, and, unfortunately, it is not among the seven that you listed today. What are the next steps for those schools, and is there any indicative timeline for moving forward with the investment?”