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ABC Council Agriculture Climate Community Council Government Lurgan

Alliance Welcome Planning Approval for Boardwalk in Montaighs Moss Nature Reserve

Local Alliance representatives have welcomed planning approval for an application from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) for a 500m long nature boardwalk in Montaighs Moss Nature Reserve. The application, which is situated off the Montaighs Road near the village of Aghagallon, will also include a new car park for 10 vehicles. […]

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Agriculture Community Government Stormont

Rescuing Lives From the Skies

Almost £500,000 has been given to two search and rescue groups that played a vital role in controlling last year’s devastating fire on the Mourne Mountains. Mourne Mountain Rescue received £212,000 and Skywatch NI received £284,000 from the new £2million Covid Scheme announced by Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots. The scheme will help nine of […]

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Agriculture Council Government NMD Council South Armagh

Minister Poots’ Proposals Could Devastate Small Farms and Rural Planning – Magennis

Sinn Féin Councillor Oonagh Magennis, has said that small farmers must have their voices heard as Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots brings forward plans for a future agriculture policy. The Slieve Gullion Councillor said: “Farmers have been waiting anxiously to find out what policies the Minister plans to put in place in the wake of Brexit […]

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Agriculture Armagh Climate Election 2022 Government Newry Politics South Armagh Stormont

Irwin ‘deep concern’ After Net Zero 2050 Vote

Newry & Armagh DUP Assemblyman William Irwin MLA has said he is shocked that 50 MLA’s voted to amend the Climate Change No2 Bill to a new target of net zero emissions by 2050. The DAERA committee member, who voted against such a move, said the decision was reckless and would cause immense and costly […]

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Agriculture Crime South Armagh

Farmer Convicted at Newry Court

Mr Brian Cullen (52) of Annvale Road, Keady, Armagh was convicted today at Newry Magistrates Court of one charge of transporting or causing the transport of an animal not fit for the journey and one charge of causing unnecessary suffering. Mr Cullen was convicted and fined £500 plus a £15 offender levy. The case came […]

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Agriculture Business Government Upper Bann Westminster

Lockhart Meets Cross-Party Group of MPs to Rally Support for Red Diesel Rethink

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has met with MPs from across the various Westminster parties this week to garner support for a joint approach to the Treasury for a red diesel rebate rethink.  Carla Lockhart said:  “The debate I hosted in Parliament last week had cross-party support – Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, SNP MPs all […]

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Agriculture Politics South Armagh

Magennis Voices Concerns on Red Diesel Legislation

Oonagh Magennis, Sinn Féin Councillor for Slieve Gullion has echoed the words of her party colleague, Caoimhe Archibald MLA; warning that changes to the entitlement for red diesel will be another hit to struggling businesses and could potentially put jobs at risk. Oonagh explained: “The change to the entitlement won’t reduce emissions, it will increase […]

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Agriculture Armagh Newry South Armagh

Red Diesel Rule Changes Fuel Further Concern – Irwin

Newry & Armagh DUP Assemblyman and DAERA Committee member William Irwin MLA has said that the red diesel rule changes, whilst not severely impacting farming processes, will have an impact economically across many sectors, including hugely popular charity tractor runs. Mr Irwin said the fact that in response to a recent UFU and HMRC webinar, […]

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Agriculture Business Downpatrick Kilkeel South Down

McKee Hits Out at HMRC Plans on Red Diesel

Traditional Unionist Voice Mourne Councillor and South Down candidate for the 2022 Assembly elections Harold McKee joined the UFU on Tuesday via zoom to listen to HMRC officials explain the new changes to rebated fuel from 1 April 2022. Councillor McKee said: “These changes will be as a result of the 2020 and 2021 Budgets […]

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Agriculture Armagh Community

Planting for the Planet!

The Southern Trust has launched their tree planting programme at St Luke’s Hospital in Armagh. Over 6,000 native trees including Birch, Hazel, Mountain Ash and Oak trees will be planted at the site over the coming months and is part of a programme to plant thousands more across Trust facilities. Speaking at the launch Catherine […]

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Agriculture

Minister Poots Launches Carbon Initiative on Dairy Farms

A new initiative to help tackle carbon emissions within the dairy sector has been launched by Agriculture and Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA. The voluntary programme of carbon benchmarks on Business Development Group (BDG) dairy farms will start in 2022.  Minister Poots said: “I am delighted to announce that a dairy carbon audits programme has been […]

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Agriculture

Poots Announces £12m Scheme for Farmers

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced that Tier 2 of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme – Capital (FBIS-C) will open for applications on 10 January 2022. The funding for farmers and growers will provide transformational investment in on-farm projects costing in excess of £30,000. Speaking at the RUAS Winter Fair, Minister Poots said: “I am […]