A FERMANAGH MLA has demanded that DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir, fully address the concerns of farmers over climate change support.

Áine Murphy was speaking following the announcement by the Minister that launched a consultation on establishing a Just Transition Commission for Northern Ireland.

Minister Muir insisted that the commission is designed to ensure the transition to a net zero society is fair and that no-one is left behind or disproportionately affected.

During a debate in the Assembly at Stormont, Murphy asked Muir if he could “provide any detail on the timeline for completing an equality and rural impact assessment of the final climate action plan to ensure that the needs of rural communities and farming families are addressed?”

The Minister responded by saying: “I will write to the Member with the full details on that, but it is key that we consider the impact on rural communities.

“I am taking that forward through the future rural affairs policy, because I want to embed it in the Department.

“I am also working with my Executive colleagues on the future budget because, as you know, the earmarking for that has been removed, and we want to ensure that rural development is a key part of it.”

Following the exchange, Áine Murphy said: “The minister's statement on climate change and just transition leaves key concerns of farmers unaddressed, including the lack of a ring-fenced budget for agriculture, combined with new inheritance tax thresholds.

“Farmers play a vital role in meeting climate goals. A just transition must ensure fair support for farming families and rural communities.

“The recent announcement in relation to the budget and inheritance tax, risks undermining farmers livelihoods and food security. 

“It is essential that the Minister prioritises agriculture with ring fenced funding and practical solutions to safeguard this vital sector.”

Minister Muir had launched the consultation during a statement to the Assembly to update MLAs on progress with commitments arising from the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.

He said: “One of the key legislative requirements arising from our Climate Change Act is the establishment of a Just Transition Commission.

“I am delighted therefore to be able to inform this Assembly that I have launched a public consultation on its establishment.

“The Just Transition approach we are taking ensures that as we transition to a low carbon society and economy that we do so in a way which is fair and just and does not leave anyone behind.

 “The consultation is a key milestone to move this forward and ensure we establish a Commission that delivers on the functions envisaged by the Assembly, as set out in the Climate Change Act.”

The Commission’s purpose will be to oversee the implementation of the just transition elements set out in the Act and provide independent advice to all government departments on how to ensure that proposals, policies strategies and plans required to tackle climate change take account of the just transition principle.

The aim of the consultation is to gather views to help inform the Department on the establishment of the Commission, as well as informing the Commission of the views of the public as to what duties and responsibilities are seen as playing a key role.

Minister Muir added: “I believe once the Commission is established and fully operational it will be an invaluable resource to this Assembly and Departments as a source of expertise to help ensure effective and inclusive emission reduction policy.

 “Importantly it will provide an independent oversight function to ensure departments are held accountable and are adhering to the just transition requirements set out in the Act.

“In May I introduced legislation for new climate change reporting duties on public bodies.

 “In September I secured Executive approval of Northern Ireland’s first Environmental Improvement Plan. 

“Alongside this I have been working with other departments to progress the carbon budgets and Climate Action Plan.

“Together these will provide a framework that will set Northern Ireland on a path to Net Zero.”