Lakeland Dairies has voiced its "serious concerns" about the pace and direction of political policy in relation to the Northern Ireland dairy sector.

The processor outlined its views in a letter to Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir this week.

The co-op, made up of 3,200 farm families, said it is grateful for the "openness" shown by the minister to Lakeland Dairies since he took office, adding that his "willingness to listen and engage is genuinely appreciated".

However, Lakeland told Minister Muir that due to political policy "it often feels as though we are farming and planning with blindfolds on and one arm behind our back".

"The dairy industry has succeeded not because of political policy, but in spite of it. That situation is simply not sustainable in the long-term," the co-op said.

The letter highlights the following "five key areas that need to be addressed":

The "paralysis in investment and development" caused by an "overly bureaucratic and sluggish" planning system;
A "real lack of clarity" on how farm emissions reductions will be delivered without additional funding;
Uncertainty around bovine tuberculosis (TB) control plans, while progress on the TB consultation "has been glacial".
With the Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) at consultation stage, the co-op said "there are growing concerns that if implemented fully, many of our farms could face a significant reduction in stock numbers, with many more being forced into derogation".
Farmers are required to "do more than ever with a decreasing budget given inflationary pressure and what appears to be a diminishing level of influence at a national level".

While acknowledging it is outside the control of Minister Muir, Lakeland also highlighted the Agricultural Property Relief (APR) inheritance tax issue, which "remains a huge concern for farm families".

"These issues and the overall lack of clarity risk inflicting lasting damage on an industry that is the bedrock of our rural economy and one of Northern Ireland’s true international success stories.

"We urge you to act with pace and purpose to bring the necessary policy clarity and delivery that the sector needs.

"We stand ready to work with you to help realise the full potential of Northern Ireland dairying," the letter said.