Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer has welcomed the passing of a Sinn Féin motion in the assembly calling on the British government to set out how it will replace the Basic Payment Scheme, which is worth £300 million a year.

The deputy-chair of the agriculture committee said:

“I welcome the passing of this motion in the assembly which calls on the British government to outline what future financial support they will put in place for local farmers.

“Since Brexit, our agricultural community has faced significant uncertainty, first with the loss of the EU’s CAP Single Farm Payments, and now with the cutting of the Basic Payment Scheme.

“In addition to this, 14 years of cuts and chaos under the Tories has put immense pressure on farmers and rural communities. The current British government must choose a path which invests in the future and protects rural economies.

“Without this, the very survival of rural communities and livelihoods are at risk.

“I am calling on the British government to put in place a guaranteed, long-term commitment to agricultural funding to secure the future of farming.”