Sinn Fein MLA Declan McAleer tabled a private member's bill at Stormont to reinstate direct payments for farmers on severely disadvantaged land in Northern Ireland. The Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Bill targets upland areas with difficult farming conditions.

On Monday, MLAs voted to advance the bill to committee stage. Ulster Unionist Party agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler said his party supports the bill's progression. He stated support depends on the executive identifying funding sources, ensuring precise targeting, and aligning with long-term agricultural policy.

Butler noted Brexit ended Northern Ireland farmers' access to prior EU schemes for disadvantaged areas. He described the bill as a way to address competitive disadvantages for those farmers.

DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen announced her party will oppose the bill at second stage next week. She said the bill lacks funding and would reduce support for other farm businesses from the existing agriculture budget.

McIlveen stated the bill creates payment imbalances by tying ANC payments to inflation, unlike other programs. She pointed to ongoing support available through schemes such as the Beef Sustainability Package and Environmental Farming Scheme.