DELIVERING FOOD and environmental outcomes in a sustainable way will be to the fore in Northern Ireland’s new agriculture policy.

Unveiling the new framework, DAERA agriculture minister Edwin Poots promised the biggest change to the province's farming policy in 50 years.

There were, he said, four desired outcomes – increasing the productivity of farms; improving resilience to external shocks such as market and currency volatility; supporting a sustainable, competitive and responsive supply chain; and increasing environmental sustainability.

To achieve that, there would be a simple area-based income measure to provide a basic safety net for farmers, but set at a level which does not 'blunt innovation and productivity'. This will be aimed at active farmers and recipients will be required to adhere to certain standards of farming activity and behaviour.

There will also be a 'Headage Sustainability Measure' for suckler cow and breeding ewe producers. This will be designed to assist the development of these sectors, driving better economic and environmental performance.

An agri-environment package will form a central plank within the overall portfolio of measures, which will draw on previous measures implemented in Northern Ireland and from those implemented or under development elsewhere.

An 'Investment Measure' will focus on driving innovation, productivity and better environmental outcomes, whilst being mindful not to add to farm overheads.

Food and farming stakeholders are to be invited to be involved with the co-design of new policy proposals which will be consulted upon this autumn.

Mr Poots said that 'business as usual' will not be an option for most farms: “The future is about delivering both food and environmental outcomes in a sustainable way. Our farmers are up for the challenge and, indeed, many have already invested in green technology and embraced environmentally-friendly farming practices.”

He added that his ultimate aim was to ensure that Northern Ireland takes full advantage of the opportunity to develop a sustainable agricultural industry in which all farmers are able to make best use of the assets at their disposal and 'build a legacy of which they can be proud'.

“All stakeholders with an interest in food production and land use must be involved in the co-design of new measures and interventions. This will ensure that we have the right measures to boost efficiency and resilience whilst enabling a decrease in the agri-food industry’s environmental footprint and creating the means to enhance our natural assets and address climate change. Our food producers should have confidence in their future whilst delivering multiple public benefits."

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has voiced their disappointment that that has been no mention of the role of the veterinary profession in helping to achieve the outcomes in the framework.

BVA NI Branch President, Mark Little, said: “An opportunity has been missed to capture from the outset the central role of veterinary expertise in achieving the stated aims of increasing productivity, enhancing environmental protection, and improving resilience.

“Agriculture faces unprecedented challenges, but we should all be seizing the chance to help shape a positive future, and it’s essential that vets and the vet-farmer relationship are at the heart of it. We have fed back our initial views to DAERA, and will ensure that the valuable part that vets have to play in making this vision a reality comes through strongly when we respond to the forthcoming public consultation.”