The Ulster Farmers' Union backs a Sinn Fein private members bill to reinstate Area of Natural Constraint payments in Northern Ireland. The payments ended in 2018 despite UFU lobbying to retain them.

Farmers on ANC land face steep terrain and fragmented fields that restrict sheep and cattle grazing. Lower grass availability, extended winters and reduced forage quality increase costs for feed and livestock housing. Animals from these areas sell at lighter weights.

Data records a 4% decline in suckler cow numbers and ewe numbers across Northern Ireland. The UFU connects this decline to the absence of ANC payments, which affects beef and lamb output.

In the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, certain ANC farmers cannot enter beef carbon reduction, suckler cow or protein schemes. This leads to up to 17% lower farm sustainability payments for those businesses.

The UFU discusses these matters with Stormont policymakers. It cautions that absent support endangers farm operations, rural areas, biodiversity and inherited farming practices.

Scotland maintains the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme. The Republic of Ireland provides over €180 million yearly in ANC payments to nearly 87,000 farmers.