The UFU has condemned changes to used machinery sales
The UK Government has been accused of showing a blatant disregard for Northern Ireland's agri industry following the latest decision regarding the movement of used agricultural machinery from Great Britain to Northern Ireland
Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has expressed outrage and profound frustration at changes to inspection requirements for second-hand vehicles while condemning the Government for only giving farmers a mere five working days' notice.
Machinery
Previous commitments outlined a path for dealers and farmers to continue benefiting from the straightforward Northern Ireland Plant Health Label (NIPHL) for machinery staying in NI, alongside a promise to simplify requirements for those seeking onward movement to the EU via an extended Plant Health Exports Audited Trader Scheme (PHEATS) or accelerated APHA inspections.
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However, the Government has recently updated requirements and along with a ruling that machinery entering NI under the NIPHL cannot enter the Republic of Ireland.
UFU president William Irvine said: "The notion our industry, already grappling with complex post-Brexit realities, can absorb such a drastic operational change with a paltry five working days' warning is beyond absurd.
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"It demonstrates an astonishing disconnect between policymakers and the gritty realities of farming life. Government have proven themselves inadequate in communicating these vital messages to those who actually move machinery between GB and NI."
The Government's has said these checks are designed to facilitate a better relationship between the UK and the EU but UFU said in reality, it has resulted in nothing but added pain for Northern Ireland consumers and businesses.
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"Furthermore, the decision that machinery entering NI under the NIPHL can never enter the Republic of Ireland clearly demonstrates a profound lack of understanding about cross-border trade and the very nature of farms that straddle the border.
"This is not about protecting our island. It is about bureaucratic overkill that fails to grasp basic agricultural and economic geography," added Mr Irvine.
Defra was contacted for comment.
