NIGTA held its Quarterly meeting recently where delegates discussed some of the big issues currently facing Agri-Food in Northern Ireland. The biggest challenges within the sector include air and water quality as well as the continuing journey towards Net Zero Carbon emissions.
Dr Alistair Carson from DAERA attended the meeting to present to the Feed Executive the full scale of the challenge in addressing the high level of nutrients, especially Phosphorous, in Lough Neagh and other water courses. It is principally phosphorous that causes the blue-green algal bloom each summer. Much of this nutrient excess is stored in the sediment on the lough bed and it is estimated that it could take more than a generation to correct the excess.
Dr Carson discussed the Lough Neagh Action Plan (LNAP) – the 37-point range of actions to try to reverse the nutrient surplus in Lough Neagh and other water courses in NI. NIGTA members are committed to do their part in helping to turn the situation around and continue to consult with DAERA regarding phosphorous levels in feed to safely reduce phosphorous emissions to the environment.
Teddy Roosevelt the former US President is quoted to have said “Don’t Bring Me Problems—Bring Me Solutions!”
With this in mind, Declan Billington proceeded to deliver a considered and well thought out presentation entitled Energy Solutions for a Green Future. This gave a fresh perspective on the generation of energy using farm wastes. His contention is that in the near future, Anaerobic Digesters (AD) should provide much of our base load power requirements from farm manures with wind making up the balance. He stressed the importance of scale and estimated that NI should have around eight large AD plants to cope with the farm wastes currently being produced. Slurry separators are widely available to reduce the tonnage being transported by removing the liquid fraction efficiently.
As an example, the enlarged AD plant planned for Tully near Ballymena when it is completed, will process up to 200,000 tonnes of poultry manure per annum and will be a ‘biomethane to grid’ plant generating up to 300 GWh per year. That is sufficient gas for the town of Ballymena or enough to fuel 600 HGVs. This could also reduce phosphorous going onto land by 6000 tonnes, which is more than the annual surplus currently being spread either as slurry or chemical fertiliser. By 2035 we should be mostly using organic fertilisers derived from the residues from AD plants as opposed to using imported chemical fertiliser.
Carbon offsetting with tree-planting and the use of methane inhibitors in ruminant diets should be the norm once their efficacy can be confirmed at farm scale.
It was encouraging to hear that whilst the agri-food industry here in Northern Ireland is under the microscope in terms of the emissions it produces, there are practical solutions out there that will address both nutrient excesses going onto land and that will advance our journey to Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
6th March 2024
Mr Gary McIntyre, Head of Feed Milling with Moy Park, has been elected as the new President of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA) for 2024 - 25 following the Association’s Annual General Meeting which was held on 6th March 2024.
Gary started his career in North Antrim Turkeys in 1996, then transferred to O’Kane Poultry before moving to G. E. McLarnon & Sons Feed Mill in 1999. Having worked in several roles within the McLarnon Feeds business, and subsequently Moy Park, Gary is now responsible for the feed milling operation for the Moy Park/Pilgrims business across the UK.
Gary thanked outgoing President, Mr Patrick McLaughlin for his achievements over the previous year and said that it was an honour to be elected President of NIGTA.
Commenting after the meeting, Gary said, “The Association has always been a champion for our industry and we represent our members both in agriculture and the wider agri-food industry in Northern Ireland in the many challenges we face. We will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders and government departments as we navigate our way through the various agenda points, not surprisingly, the sustainability challenges of carbon and ammonia emissions are a high priority for us.
“Within NIGTA, we have a fantastic team of subject matter experts who represent our members and NI agriculture on all of the key bodies and forums across the industry, and the association will continue to effectively use our voice to ensure Northern Ireland Agriculture is in the best position possible to grow and to produce the highest quality food.”
Mr David O’Connor, Managing Director at Feed Materials Importer, Cefetra, was installed as Vice President for 2024-2025.
Claudine Heron, CEO of W&R Barnett has stood down from the Executive in favour of Ben Fraser also of W&R Barnett. Immediate Past president, Patrick McLaughlin paid tribute to her considerable contribution to NIGTA in the fifteen years since her appointment.
Outgoing President, Mr Patrick McLaughlin reflected on the activities of the Association over the past year, where our landscape has been dominated by the sustainability agenda, and the Northern Ireland Protocol. Following on from the passing of the Northern Ireland Climate Change Act in 2022, NIGTA established a Sustainability Committee to focus on the environmental challenges that our local agri-food industry now faces. The climate change legislation has laid down ambitious targets and NIGTA is committed to working closely with all the stakeholders to help meet these requirements. In April 2023 NIGTA ran a successful Environmental Footprinting Workshop in Cookstown and the association has also agreed to support The NI Carbon Steering Group.
NIGTA as a member of the NI Business Brexit Working Group, has engaged with politicians, officials, and stakeholders to highlight the practicalities and impacts of proposed measures. NIGTA will continue to press for improved trading links for Northern Ireland within the UK, to Europe and further afield.
Following the AGM, NIGTA hosted its quarterly lunch for members where Ian Stevenson CEO of the NI Dairy Council was as the guest speaker.
Ian outlined the work of the Dairy Council and the collaboration with other Trade Associations such as NIGTA in “Telling our Story” to promote the healthy, safe and environmentally aware food we produce here in Northern Ireland.
DO YOU KNOW YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE?
The Northern Ireland Agri-Rural Health Forum* has launched its first campaign, encouraging farmers to get their blood pressure checked.
NIGTA is proud to support the NI Agri-Rural Health Forum and this very important campaign.
Farmers know the dangers of driving on over inflated tyres. Living with high blood pressure is like driving with an over inflated tyre. You need to take control and think about:
- You can check it, change it, and control it.
- You may feel well but high blood pressure could still be causing damage.
- Small changes will make a big difference.
- It is free to check, the only cost to you is your time.
- If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.
Many people with high blood pressure feel fine. But even if you feel fine, you should still have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you're a healthy adult over 40, it's recommended that you get it checked regularly but if you're at increased risk of high blood pressure, you should have it checked more often. If you have high blood pressure, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. It’s important to find support from the people around you and healthcare professionals. Make sure you check your blood pressure and keep a diary of your readings regularly, so you can see your progress.
Don’t delay, get it checked today – at your local GP, pharmacy or with the Farm Family Health Checks van.
For more information on blood pressure signs and symptoms click here – https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-and-treatment.
*The Northern Ireland Agri-Rural Health Forum, chaired by Dr Rebecca Orr and co-ordinated by Rural Support, brings together key decision-makers in the agriculture, public health, community and voluntary sectors, and related commercial organisations to help influence public opinion and ensure the appropriate incorporation of mental and physical health needs in agri-rural communities into strategy and policy development. As a group of individuals and organisations supporting the agri-rural sector in Northern Ireland we are committed to helping improve the health and wellbeing of citizens who live in the agri-rural community.
Members of the Forum Steering Group includes Dr Rebecca Orr, Rural GP trainee (clinical and research); Rural Support; UFU; NFU Mutual; United Feeds; Chestnutt Animal Feeds Ltd; Ulster Bank; Danske Bank; YFCU; HSENI; Northern Health and Social Care Trust; Farm Family Health Checks Programme; VetNI; ABP Food Group; Healthy Living Centre Alliance; PHA; Mindwise; Moy Park; NIGTA.
Farm Businesses in Zone 2 are encouraged to apply for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme
On 26th June, zone 2 of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) opened, covering Fermanagh, the west of Country Armagh and South Tyrone. Farm businesses located in these areas are strongly encouraged to register for the scheme using the following link - www.daera-ni.gov.uk/onlineservices. Participating in the scheme is a condition of receiving future funding from DAERA such as the new Farm Sustainability Payment. The closing date is 31 August 2023.
The SNHS provides each farm business with important information on soil nutrient levels for each field and a baseline estimate of the amount of carbon stored in the soils, hedgerows and trees.
The Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association NIGTA held its quarterly meeting recently at the Culloden hotel.
There was a full agenda on the day including detailed discussions on new deforestation regulations (EUDR) for raw materials such as Soya which come into effect on 1st January 2025.
These regulations seek to prohibit the use of raw materials that have been produced on land that has been illegally deforested, particularly in the world’s rainforests. In relation to this, Leprino Foods, a leading name in Mozzarella production, gave a presentation on the future demands from retailers and supermarkets to show compliance with the new standards.
Some dairy farmers supplying into Leprino’s milk pool are already making preparations in advance. Getting the correct certification from suppliers in growing regions globally is proving a major challenge and is highly likely to have a cost impact on the raw materials concerned.
Food Fortress is now independent of NIGTA and has rolled out right across Ireland and into GB. This industry leading initiative was started by NIGTA more than ten years ago as a safeguard against contaminants getting into feeds and therefore the food chain. The scheme has been a major success with strategic sampling and testing done in conjunction with a matrix planned by the Institute of Global food Security (IGFS) at Queens University, Belfast who will continue to run it independently.
Kieran Shields reported on the main concerns for the Country Compounders which were common to all and included the incoming EUDR regulations and the availability of skilled labour.
Mary Preston, Technical Manager at Moy Park who heads up the NIGTA Legal and Scientific Committee updated the delegates on developments on feed additive applications and authorisations as well as veterinary medicines regulations within the Windsor framework.
Jim Uprichard, sustainability manager at Trouw Nutrition reported on a successful run of Feed Advisor training sessions at CAFRE, Greenmount. NIGTA Feed Advisors and others in the agri-food industry have been availing of a Carbon Awareness course jointly designed by CAFRE and NIGTA. The course aims to provide those interacting with farmers the knowledge to help them improve their carbon footprint and to be aware of the mitigation strategies available.
NI is committed in legislation to reducing its carbon emissions and farming needs to play its part in that journey. Much of what needs to be done can improve farm profitability and therefore can be a win-win for both the farmer and the environment.
The guest speaker on the day was Dr Anne Richmond, Director of Research and Development at Pilgrims, Europe. Anne spoke about her career so far at Moy Park / Pilgrims and how the business of producing chicken has improved, changed and evolved over many years. She is optimistic about the industry and expects to see continued growth and development in the coming years. As with all businesses in the agri-food sector, there is a strong emphasis on sustainability and carbon emission reductions coupled with a strong desire to improve animal welfare.
NIGTA June Meeting 2024
Dr Rebecca Orr (GP, farmer and researcher at Queen's University Belfast) has partnered with the Ulster Farmers' Union on a study seeking to identify what factors influence farmers' behaviour when they are told to seek medical advice about their risk of heart disease or diabetes.
Farmers are asked to complete a short questionnaire and consider taking part in an interview as part of the research. The questionnaire is available at the following link - https://forms.office.com/e/jdyTfgSat0 or a postal copy can be requested by contacting UFU HQ on 02890 370222. Those who complete the questionnaire can enter a draw to win a £100 voucher for the UFU online clothing shop.
Link to video participant information video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bduSdemXhUc
Cruse Bereavement Support was the chosen charity to benefit from funds raised at the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association’s 56th Annual Dinner held in April.
NIGTA President Patrick McLaughlin and CEO Gill Gallagher were delighted to present a cheque for £4,800 to Thelma Abernethy, Head of Cruse Bereavement Support NI and Elaine Brannigan, Community Fundraising and Engagement Manager. At the presentation, Patrick commented on the invaluable support, advice and information provided by the charity to children and adults when they lose someone close to them.
On receiving the donation, Thelma thanked NIGTA for their generous support, and highlighted the additional workstreams of the charity which also campaigns for improved bereavement support and offers bereavement training in the workplace.
The Northern Ireland (NI) Carbon Steering Group is a pioneering alliance set up to represent farmers and the agri-food industry, and progress with the carbon element of the sustainability agenda. The collaboration has been built on the recognition that an industry wide co-ordinated approach is the most effective way to ensure the industry is heard and that the best solutions are achieved for everyone in NI.
Agriculture has a key part to play in NI reaching net zero carbon emissions and the group has been working together, moulding an approach that will be farmer friendly and provide the basis for measuring and managing carbon emissions. Legal obligations and targets have been set and the group aims to deliver opportunities that will advance local agriculture sustainably.
Commenting, George Mullan, member of the Carbon Steering Group and Chair of NIFDA, said, “Under the NI Climate Change Act 2022, targets have been set which we are required to meet. To align with this, DAERA will publish its first Climate Action Plan in December 2023 requiring significant reduction in carbon emissions. Therefore, we have come together to act on behalf of our farmers and agri-food industry to ensure we achieve consistency in the direction of travel.
“Working across farmers, processors, industry bodies, government departments and research organisations, we want to ensure that appropriate solutions are provided to measure carbon emissions and identify innovative ways to reduce emissions. As a group, we’ve been able to lead from the front to develop a market strategy and support farmers to intercept potential livestock reductions.
“Reducing carbon emissions is becoming a requirement for our customers, not only in the UK, but also in export markets. It has presented us with an opportunity to find a workable system that can deliver the information required and enable the NI agri-food sector to remain competitive.”
The NI Carbon Steering Group is working in partnership with DAERA to create a programme which will help all farm businesses understand where they are on this carbon journey. As part of this and to inform the work programme with DAERA, we intend to test the concept of whole farm data collection with 100 farms in the next few weeks. Information required to test this concept will be collected following a NI Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (FQAS) inspection and during the same farm visit.
David Brown, Chair of the NI Carbon Steering Group, said “We need to ensure that we develop a programme with the farmer in mind at all times. It needs to be workable for them, ensuring an accurate and efficient process that causes minimal disruption to the farm business. The delivery of information is a key element to ensure its suitable for all parties and supports appropriate carbon reduction strategies while protecting farmers’ data.”
The Carbon Steering group added, “Tackling climate change and reducing emissions is now a key part of doing business with retailers and banks that are taking carbon emissions and environmental factors into consideration. All parts of the food chain are required to act including retailers, processors and farmers. Farmers have already done great work to reduce emissions on farm, and this data collection exercise will enable them to build upon that. We’re all on this journey towards net zero and farmers are committed to reducing carbon emissions while feeding a growing population with quality food produced to the highest standards.”
The NI Carbon Steering Group includes representatives from the Livestock and Meat Commission, Ulster Farmers’ Union, Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, NI Meat Exporters Association, NI Food and Drink Association, NI Agricultural Producers’ Association, NI Grain Trade Association, NI Pork and Bacon Forum, NI Poultry Federation, and Moy Park.
Photo caption: (Back row left to right), NIMEA chief executive Daryl McLaughlin, Moy Park agri business and live production services director Justin Coleman, NIAPA chair James Lowe, NIMEA vice-chair Terry Acheson, UFU president David Brown, LMC chief executive Ian Stevenson, DCNI chief executive Mike Johnston and NIFDA vice president Michael Bell. (Front row left to right) UFU chief executive Wesley Aston, NIGTA chief executive Gill Gallagher, NIFDA chair George Mullan and DCNI David Stewart.
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