Latest news with #DAERA
Agriland
a day ago
- Health
- Agriland
DAERA: Bluetongue disease ‘will arrive at some stage'
Bluetongue disease will, inevitably, reach the island of Ireland. And this may well happen sooner rather than later. This is the strongly held view of Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) deputy chief veterinary officer, Dr. David Kyle. He made the comments at the recent Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS) annual conference. Dr. Kyle said: 'The disease carrying midges will arrive at some stage: we can't control the weather. 'DAERA is currently monitoring midge and virus populations, specifically in Irish Sea coastal areas.' The latest figures from Great Britain (GB) confirm the east/west march of the virus. However, to date, it has not reached those regions with high sheep populations. Once bluetongue reaches Irish shores, 20km radius incursion zones will be established in an attempt to get to grips with the disease, according to the DAERA deputy chief veterinary officer. Dr, Kyle referenced the future use of vaccines as a way farmers can get to grips with the problem within their own businesses. Chatting at the NIIAS conference, (l to r) Ian Stevenson, Dairy Council for Northern Ireland; and Dick Blakiston Houston, BlakistonHouston Estates According to the DAERA representative, a region's animal health status will have a direct bearing on its ability to export food products. In addition, disease has a direct bearing on animal performance and productivity. Illegal animal and food importations heighten the risk of new disease threats, and Dr. Kyle confirmed that DAERA has strengthened its presence at all of Northern Ireland's ports. He referred to the attempts that have been made by some people to smuggle live sheep into Northern Ireland as 'absolute folly'. The World Organisation for Animal Health lists 118 notifiable diseases. All of these are linked to international food trading conditions. Dr. Kyle said: 'Food exports are worth in excess of £6 billion to Northern Ireland's economy. So, protecting the future of our agri-food sectors is a key priority. 'And the same principle holds in the Republic of Ireland.' The DAERA representative referenced the triple threat of bluetongue, foot and mouth disease (FMD), and highly pathogenic avian influenza – or bird flu – as the key concerns for Ireland's agri-food sectors at the present time. While Dr. Kyle highlighted the tremendous efforts made by the poultry sector in keeping avian influenza at bay over recent times, he struck a cautionary note where FMD is concerned. This year has seen outbreaks of the disease confirmed in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia with two different lineages of the virus identified in these cases. However, when it comes to attributing the initial causes of the disease outbreaks, bio-terrorism has been one of the options followed up.
Belfast Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Why it makes economic sense to focus on driving forward a sustainable farming approach
As DAERA minister, I am equally responsible for agriculture, the environment, climate change, animal health and welfare, and rural affairs. It is a wide portfolio and these are all areas that are critical to the wellbeing of our society, our economy and environment. As we try to secure a prosperous future, we must deliver a thriving economy while taking the right measures to protect and restore our environment. Neither of these goals are mutually exclusive. In fact, they go hand in hand. In DAERA, we are focused on grasping these opportunities. Northern Ireland needs to turn the curve when it comes to matching our environmental needs to our economic ambitions. If the environment is allowed to further decline, it will impact a range of sectors from farming to tourism and inhibit inward investment. However, if we tackle this together, we will ensure our globally competitive agriculture sector will continue to thrive. We will create new green jobs, while addressing the decline in our biodiversity and protecting our land and waterways. I appreciate there's no quick fix that will bring our environment back to the quality it should be. However, the challenge of balancing a sustainable economy isn't unique to Northern Ireland. It's one all governments are facing. It's complex and multi-layered but we need to be ambitious; there are dividends for our quality of life, economy and nature if we get it right. In DAERA, we are focused on grasping these opportunities. Among the actions we have taken are a lot of 'firsts' — Northern Ireland's first ever Environmental Improvement Plan; an Executive-agreed action plan for Lough Neagh; agreed carbon budgets; Executive agreement to consult on Northern Ireland's first draft Climate Action Plan; and the only devolved administration to secure a ringfenced budget for agriculture. While it is good all this work is in train, the scale of the challenge is such that we cannot be complacent. We need to do more and we need to do it urgently. Farming and agri-food are critical to the Northern Ireland economy, contributing a combined £1.6 billion of Gross Value Added alongside 78,400 jobs. Every farmer and agri-food company plays their part and by protecting our environment and responding to climate change, we are focusing on how we secure a sustainable future for the industry. That's why in the new Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP), I have secured the retention of £330m earmarked funding for farmers - something no other UK region delivered. I remain committed to a farming approach that continues to deliver high-quality and nutritious food, without compromising the ability of future generations of farmers to do the same. I am also committed to working in partnership with the agri-food sector and environmental stakeholders to ensure the funding I have secured delivers real impact on the ground for farmers and the environment. I will work to deliver the One Health action plan to secure healthy people, animals, the food chain and environment. ...it makes economic sense to focus on improving our environment and driving forward a sustainable farming approach. It also makes sense to have a robust and effective governance framework where we can be held to account and show improvement. Lough Neagh, the Nutrient Action Programme, the draft Climate Action Plan, the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, water quality, ammonia, TB — they're all interconnected. The environment impacts almost every aspect of our lives. We cannot thrive and survive — individually or as a society — without clean water, healthy food, flourishing biodiversity, clean air, healthy animals and resilient communities. Where will we be if we continue to neglect the environment, if we fail to put our agri-food sector on a truly sustainable footing, ignore food security in the face of a changing climate, forego opportunities to be innovative and attract investment and overlook the economic opportunities that come with change? That's why it makes economic sense to focus on improving our environment and driving forward a sustainable farming approach. It also makes sense to have a robust and effective governance framework where we can be held to account and show improvement. The work of the independent panel that I commissioned earlier this year to examine our environmental governance is progressing at pace and will soon help identify the necessary steps to strengthen environmental governance. As we marry economic ambition and environmental protection, we must work collectively. Government won't have all the answers and that's why I want to hear from farmers, environmentalists and other sectors on how we address these issues together. While I appreciate that the scale of the change required can be daunting, every day we delay collective action, the greater the cost to our environment and economy. Together I believe we can chart a way forward to deliver real improvements that will enhance prosperity and well-being.
Agriland
12-06-2025
- General
- Agriland
DAERA urges all farms to sign up for Soil Nutrient Health Scheme
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has issued a final call for all unregistered farm businesses to sign up for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS). The scheme, first launched in 2022, is managed by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). Farmers in zone four (Co. Antrim) are invited to apply for registration from Monday, June 16. Farmers in zone one, two and three who have not yet registered are also invited to apply. This final round of registrations will close on Monday, September 1, 2025. Previous applications The scheme first opened to applications from farms within zone one (Co. Down and parts of counties Antrim and Armagh) in May 2022 and closed again that September. Zone two (Co. Fermanagh, the west of Co. Armagh, and south Co. Tyrone) opened from June to August 2023, followed by zone three (north Co. Tyrone and Co. Derry) from June to August 2024. There was a 90% overall uptake over the three zones in the last three years. Farms from these zones that are still unregistered but expressed information in the scheme will be contacted by AFBI before registration opens. The training provided by the scheme is due to become a required condition for the the farm sustainability payment from January 2026. In a statement, DAERA said: 'Farm businesses are strongly encouraged to take this final opportunity to join this groundbreaking scheme' while the roll-out of the SNHS continues with AFBI. SNHS AFBI continue to work closely with three main sub-contractors to deliver the scheme: RPS Group (soil collection), Cawood/NRM (soil analysis), and Field Group (LiDAR capture). The scheme will provide each individual farm with their own unique data, documenting nutrient levels in the soil; the carbon stored in the soils, hedgerows and trees on the land; and nutrient run-off risk maps. In addition, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) will carry out online training to help participating farmers understand nutrient management; and even draw up nutrient management plans in a bid to make Northern Irish farms more nutrient-efficient and profitable, according to the college. DAERA has stressed that all information collected from participants will be protected under the SNHS Privacy Notice as well as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and only used for research purposes by the AFBI and relevant contractors.
Agriland
11-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
DAERA launches 2025 Northern Ireland farm census
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched the 2025 Northern Ireland farm census. The department is encouraging all farmers and growers to take part by completing the survey before June 30, 2025. This year, the census is introducing a new digital survey platform, Blaise, which DAERA said 'offers enhanced functionality and improved user experience'. The platform allows respondents to pause and resume the survey and provides the option to save or print a copy of their responses upon submission. In order to access the survey, farmers and growers will require a 12-digit unique code. Farm census According to DAERA, the annual farm census is 'a vital tool in shaping agricultural policy and supporting our rural economy'. 'The Department urges all farmers to take part and ensure their voices are heard. With the introduction of the new survey platform, it is easier than ever to complete the census securely and efficiently. 'Your input will help to inform the building of a more sustainable and resilient future for Northern Ireland's agriculture sector,' the department said. The 2025 census continues to collect essential data on land use, livestock numbers, and workforce composition as of June 1, 2025. This year's questionnaire also includes questions on cattle housing and the use of low emission slurry spreading (LESS) equipment. 'The data collected will be used for statistical and research purposes and will help to inform departmental decisions and policies supporting Northern Ireland's farming industry. It will not be used for cross-compliance or enforcement,' DAERA added. Farmers can access the census on the DAERA website. Anyone who requires support to complete the census can email DAERAsurveys@ or call 028 9081 6556.
Agriland
10-06-2025
- Health
- Agriland
NI farmers advised to ensure no cattle in herd with BVD risk
Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI) is advising farmers to ensure that there are no cattle in their herds that could be potential sources of BVD infection. According to AHWNI, animals with undisclosed infection can present a BVD risk to the rest of the herd, to neighbouring herds, or to purchasing herds, by being the cause of transient infections that allow the virus to circulate. It said that the presence of the BVD virus in a herd can be very costly, as its immunosuppressive effects can put transiently infected cattle at risk of pneumonias and scours. The AHWNI highlighted that this month (June 2025), the Department of Agriculture, Enterprise and Rural Affairs (DAERA), commenced the process of restricting herds with more than 20 cattle over 30 days of age that have not had a BVD test result recorded. It claimed that just over 100 herd owners have been informed that their herd will be restricted after 28 days if all animals over 30 days of age are not BVD tested. It also said that all moves in and out will be prohibited, except for movements to direct slaughter. Farmers who receive a warning letter from DAERA are strongly advised to act without delay to avoid their herd being restricted. BVD AHWNI has said that from December 1, 2025, the threshold will be changed, so that movement restrictions will be applied by DAERA on herds with 10 or more BVD unknown status (BVDU) cattle. It also explained that restrictions on herds with BVDUs will be lifted immediately on confirmation of a negative BVD result for all cattle more than 30 days old. In a statement, AHWNI said: 'Testing should be carried out using supplementary tags or blood samples taken by a private vet. 'As the drive to stamp out BVD continues, herd owners are urged to test newborn calves promptly and to ensure that test results are returned for all cattle. Any that have a 'no sample' report returned should be retested as soon as possible,' it added.
