UFU Ulster Farmers' Union : outraged by DAERA single stage review plans

Friday, 26 January, 2018

The Ulster Farmers' Union says it is 'outraged' by reports the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is planning to scrap its two-stage appeal process in favour of single-stage review. It has branded the move 'tyrannical' and says it highlights DAERA's 'disregard and disdain' for farmers and their businesses.

The UFU, along with eight other organisations, responded to DAERA's 'Review of Decisions' consultation last August. All opposed the move to a single stage process. Despite this opposition from industry, the UFU understands senior officials decided in September 2017 to push ahead with its plan.

'The DAERA Board's decision was taken immediately after the consultation closed. That begs the question, whether it even considered the responses,' said UFU president, Barclay Bell. He accused DAERA of mounting a paper exercise with its mind already made up about the way ahead. 'Without a minister to keep officials in check, DAERA has become a law unto its own. We can add this to the ever-growing list of autocratic decisions by DAERA officials.'

The UFU says it has no faith in a single-stage review process, questioning how farmers can be sure they are getting a fair hearing, with the loss of an independent review. 'I can't remember the last time I heard of a farmer winning a first stage appeal. It's an approach that stacks the deck in favour of DAERA. Farmers can kiss goodbye to fairness, transparency, and independence. This is a disgraceful decision by officials now free of political oversight.'

As to any claim by DAERA that this will speed up the review process and help clear the backlog of cases the UFU says quicker does not mean fairer. 'In some cases, the sums involved will be substantial and could be make or break for a farming family. They are just numbers on a page to DAERA officials, but for farmers it is their livelihood that is on the line. Scrapping the right to independent appeal gives DAERA absolute control. It is a slap in the face for farmers and for any sense of fair play and public accountability. I would strongly urge DAERA officials to think again over a decision rooted in arrogance and the lack of any political oversight,' said the UFU president.