DAERA’s proposed modifications to the Nutrient Motion Programme (NAP) may may price the Northern Eire agri-food sector greater than £1.5 billion, in accordance a report by AgriSearch.
The AgriSearch report, produced in partnership with quite a few agri-food sector our bodies, raises vital questions concerning the viability of proposed modifications because it unveils the monetary penalties of implementation.
In line with the info, implementation of an 8kg phosphorus per hectare restrict and expanded buffer strips would set off widespread financial disruption, with Northern Eire provide chain losses projected to exceed £1.56 billion per 12 months.
The report concludes that the coverage would jeopardise farm resilience, intensify monetary pressure on already indebted farm companies, destabilise the land market, threaten provide chain viability and render processing amenities uneconomic.
It additionally reveals that there would even be wider impacts on rural communities and companies with a powerful danger of making unintended social and environmental penalties.
Jason Rankin, Technique Supervisor at AgriSearch mentioned: “We totally recognise the significance of bettering water high quality and nutrient administration; nevertheless, the findings of our evaluation paint a stark image of the potential penalties of present NAP proposals.
“With out cautious consideration of a full financial appraisal and trade enter, the proposed environmental measures may inadvertently destabilise the very foundations of our rural financial system and meals provide chain.
“This proof clearly factors to the necessity for a extra balanced, sensible and fact-based method mixed with a full financial appraisal that protects the setting, the financial system and rural livelihoods.”
Professor Gerry Boyle, Chair of AgriSearch mentioned: “This evaluation underlines the vital position of ongoing, unbiased analysis in informing coverage selections that impression your complete agri-food trade and provide chain.”
