The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), founded in 1918, is the largest democratic voluntary organisation representing farmers and growers in Northern Ireland with over 11,500 members. It serves as a key lobbying and advocacy group promoting rural and agricultural interests both locally and internationally. The UFU’s central objective is to defend the rights and promote the interests of its members by engaging in professional lobbying activities targeted at influencing EU and UK agricultural policies, rural economic development, environmental sustainability, and food production standards. The Union operates through a grassroots democratic structure where local groups and county meetings formulate policy views subsequently reviewed and ratified by the executive committee. It comprises 16 specialized policy committees covering areas such as environment, animal health, dairy, beef and lamb, cereals, vegetables, hill farming, and rural enterprise development.
The UFU collaborates extensively with national farmers’ unions across the UK (England, Scotland, Wales) and with the Irish Farmers’ Association in Dublin, maintaining strong links through an office presence in Brussels to monitor and influence EU legislation affecting agriculture and rural affairs. Besides lobbying, the UFU supports sustainable and welfare-friendly farming practices, rural infrastructure improvements, animal welfare, and consumer interests. It maintains strategic networks with countryside, wildlife, academic, and animal welfare organizations, enhancing its advocacy capabilities.
The UFU has played a significant role in negotiating and responding to key policy issues affecting Northern Ireland agriculture, including Brexit implications, especially the Northern Ireland Protocol, and trade relations impacting farmers’ livelihoods. Its lobbying activities encompass meetings with EU institutions, preparing position papers, organizing events, and providing expert consultations to legislators on farming-related policies.
