Countryside Alliance Ireland members and supporters will be pleased with the DUP’s acknowledgement of the value of our precious rivers and the promotion of local produce. The manifesto does commit to banning trophy hunting imports but includes nothing on hunting, as the party regards the issue as a matter of the conscience of its individual elected members. The party remains committed to growing the Northern Ireland economy and supporting our small and medium sized businesses.
It seeks an increased, ring-fenced and multi-annual farm support and development budget. At a minimum, it would ensure that the annual level of funding provided by the Treasury increases to match the impact of inflation and it supports a robust bTB eradication policy, including targeted badger control.
Other policies of rural interest are as follows:
Crime and Policing: The next government must prioritise the safety of its citizens in all parts of the United Kingdom through a fiscal framework and funding model that is fair and meets the needs of police service, courts and wider criminal justice system.
It will seek a statutory definition of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) to better target paramilitaries and crime gangs who prey on children and young people, seek to resist the further erosion of stop and search powers, support national strategies to reduce high demand for police services that could and should be routinely dealt with by the health service, seek to protect neighbourhood policing resources and support tough measures to address all forms of elder abuse, including financial crime.
Net Zero/Climate Change: The manifesto supports the United Kingdom’s long-term net zero ambitions and will advocate for policy and initiatives that are environmentally responsible and support decarbonisation. The party appreciates that there is a role for ambitious and flexible emissions targets in driving forward progress, but is concerned that recent legislation, including in Northern Ireland, has been rushed, poorly drafted and conflicts with independent scientific advice by the Climate Change Committee.
It plans to press for a truly fair transition which is inclusive of all communities, households and industries and addresses the looming threat of further costs from changes to emissions trading schemes, as well as the impact of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Carbon Mechanism on trade between GB and NI.
Natural Environment: The Manifesto highlights that our river systems are precious natural resources which sadly, in some cases, are being turned into open sewers. There must be a concerted effort to tackle the sources of pollution, protect habitats, prevent biodiversity loss and preserve water quality in both Lough Neagh and our rivers throughout Northern Ireland.
Food and Farming: Rural communities are an integral part of the social and economic fabric of Northern Ireland. The party acknowledges the challenges facing primary producers which can, at times, take their toll on farm families, negatively impacting their health and wellbeing. It remains committed to ensuring they receive the right support and the proper recognition.
Food production should be recognised as a strategic national asset in the United Kingdom. The needs of our farmers cannot be sacrificed in favour of other policy objectives. Investing in agriculture and primary production is essential for boosting productivity, job creation and delivering progress toward environmental goals.
Promoting local produce, the party favours setting ambitious targets for the sourcing of local, high-quality food. This should include a commitment by the Government to source 50% of food into the public sector from British farms.
Housing: The document pledges review of the impact of the Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contracts on housing need and public services in all UK regions.
Communities and Local Government: The manifesto raises the need to support communities that tend to be less able to avail of other funding opportunities and where a lack of capacity, networks and confidence restricts the ability to secure funding, particularly in rural areas. The party would develop support for projects that enhance community capacity generally, as well as seeing delivery on long standing commitments for projects of cultural significance. It calls on the next Government to build on preparatory work and deliver a long-term programme to support communities.
Transport: Shifting public transport to alternative energies and away from diesel has been a party commitment for many years. It will lobby government significantly to increase investment in sustainable transport. It supports the decision to push back a ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles to at least 2035. It argues there should be a further review of these plans, taking account of the high upfront costs facing families to transition to electric vehicles.
You can read the manifestos of other parties here: