Fermanagh and Omagh District Councils Agricultural Liaison Group Urges Action to Support Local Farmers Amidst Policy Changes

At a recent meeting with the Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs Committee, Fermanagh and Omagh District Councils Agricultural Liaison Group outlined critical concerns regarding recent agricultural policy changes that threaten the viability of family farms in the region. The meeting, which was held at the Parliament Buildings, Stormont, addressed several key issues impacting local farmers, particularly in rural and Less Favoured Areas (LFAs).

One of the most pressing concerns discussed was the upcoming change to Agricultural Property Relief, set to take effect in 2026. The Council highlighted the significant financial strain this policy could place on family-run farms, many of which are smaller, dairy, and cattle and sheep operations located in rural areas. Concerns were expressed that change to Agricultural Property Relief could result in increased inheritance tax bills, putting future generations of farmers at risk of losing their family farms. The Council emphasizsed that such a policy fails to recognise the unique challenges faced by farms in regions like Fermanagh and Omagh.

Another key issue raised was the transition from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) to the Farm Sustainability Transition Scheme in 2025. The Council called for urgent clarification from the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on the details of this transition. Local farmers are concerned about the fairness of the new payment system, particularly for farms in LFAs and those producing livestock. The Council stressed that it is vital for payments to increase in line with the rising cost of living and the cost of doing business.

The Council also expressed concerns over the direction of new payment schemes, which appear to be moving away from a land-based model to a production-based model. They warned that this shift could disproportionately affect farmers in LFAs, particularly in Fermanagh and Omagh.
Given the increasingly unpredictable weather patterns affecting the agricultural sector, the Council lobbied that Department should introduce an adverse weather payment scheme to support struggling farms in the district. Such a scheme would provide farmers with additional financial support during periods of extreme weather, which have become more frequent in recent years.

In closing, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council extended an invitation to the Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs Committee to visit the district and witness firsthand the challenges faced by local farmers. The Council hopes this will help the Committee better understand the unique issues affecting agricultural businesses in rural Northern Ireland.

Chairperson of the Agricultural Liaison Group, Councillor Allan Rainey MBE, stated: “We are grateful for the opportunity to present our concerns today. The future of family farming in Fermanagh and Omagh is at a critical juncture, and it is vital that these issues are addressed to ensure the long-term sustainability of our agricultural sector. The changes to Agricultural Property Relief, the transition to the new payment scheme, and the loss of EU funding are creating significant uncertainty for our farming community. We are committed to working with the Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs Committee to find solutions that will protect our farmers and their livelihoods.”