Key facts
- UK farming unions met to discuss arable policy needs.
- Groups agreed on the need for practical, clear policies supporting productivity and resilience.
- Key issues discussed included Farm Assurance Review, EU-UK SPS negotiations, and glyphosate use.
- Rising input costs and market volatility were cited as significant challenges.
Representatives from the UK's four farming unions convened in Northern Ireland to address the pressing needs of the cereal and arable sectors. Hosted by the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU), the meeting, chaired by UFU deputy president Glenn Cuddy, brought together policy executives and crop chairs from the National Farmers' Union (NFU), NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru, and the British Agriculture Bureau. The discussions highlighted significant challenges faced by growers, including escalating input costs, market volatility, and increasing regulatory pressures. A key outcome was a "shared recognition" across these groups that practical and clear policies are essential to bolster productivity and resilience within the arable sector. Specific issues on the agenda included the UK Farm Assurance Review, negotiations on EU-UK Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures, and concerns surrounding glyphosate use and NGO activity related to plant protection products. The delegates also covered the Voluntary Initiative, the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO), the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Digital Grain Passport, and the importance of fair dealing within the supply chain. The UFU emphasized that continued collaboration among the farming unions is crucial as the sector navigates a challenging economic landscape, with ongoing concerns about fertiliser, fuel prices, and global instability.