DAERA has been criticised by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) for its plan to publish another environmental consultation which will impact local farmers.

The department is expected to launch a consultation today (Thursday) on a “climate action plan” which outlines options to cut greenhouse gas emissions up to 2027.

UFU president William Irvine said local farmers are already facing “major issues” from the ongoing furore over the Nutrients Action Programme to concerns about new inheritance tax rules.

“Despite UFU raising huge concern about the timing and the mental strain farmers are currently under, DAERA went ahead and threw the climate action plan at them too,” he said.

The need for DAERA to consult on the matter stems from controversial climate change legislation which was passed by a majority of MLAs at Stormont in 2022.

Irvine described the legislation as “deeply flawed” with “unrealistic targets” which ran against the advice of the UK government’s Climate Change Committee and NI-based civil servants.

“Farmers have and will continue to play their part in caring for the environment and tackling climate change, but this legislation is kicking them when they’re already struggling,” he said.

“Instead of being supported to work hand-in-hand with nature and create sustainable farm businesses, farmers feel like they’re being pushed over the edge completely,” Irvine added.

The first climate action plan covers the period from 2023 to 2027 where there is a target to cut emissions in NI by 33% compared to 1990 levels.

The first target is seen as reasonably achievable and so the new consultation is not expected to propose any drastic measures such as cutting livestock numbers.

However, with other upcoming targets including a 48% cut in emissions in the next five year period and a 62% drop by 2037, more draconian measures could come on the table if targets remain unamended.