DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA spoke against the Areas of Natural Constraint Payment Bill after an Assembly debate. She called the proposal unfunded and unfair, stating it risks dividing farmers.

McIlveen said the Democratic Unionist Party backs strong agriculture but rejects plans without a business case or funding source. She noted the bill redistributes existing funds without new money.

The DUP MLA described the bill as creating a hierarchy among farmers, with some losing to benefit others. She said this approach lacks fairness and sustainability.

McIlveen pointed to the Suckler Cow Payment Scheme, where farmers receive £100 per eligible cow for the first time in 20 years as payments close next week. She advocated building on such targeted aid.

Reinstating ANC payments without extra funds would harm the farming community and the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, according to McIlveen.

She supported a targeted sheep scheme instead, noting over half of Northern Ireland's sheep are in severely disadvantaged areas. McIlveen said this would aid needy farms, rural communities, the environment, and the agri-food economy.

The DUP MLA called for support focused on productivity and long-term sector sustainability over broad payments.