Ukraine: Poots warns of grain shortages as war continues

Edwin Poots has said he wants farmers to grow more potatoes and cereal crops in response to the Ukraine war

Agriculture minister Edwin Poots has warned of potential grain shortages and price rises as the war in Ukraine continues.

He confirmed he had asked Stormont's finance department for £70m to help farmers hit by supply issues.

Ukraine and Russia are major exporters of basic foodstuffs, and the war has hit crop production, driving up prices.

Mr Poots has asked the UK government to press the EU to relax rules on importing agriculture seeds.

He has said he wants farmers to grow more potatoes and cereal crops in response to the war.

The seed trade comes under the Northern Ireland Protocol - part of the Brexit deal - and involves an onerous import process.

Less choice on shelves

Mr Poots told members of his assembly scrutiny committee he had "grave concerns that the longer the conflict continues the more likely we are to see a real and damaging impact on local industries".

He said the consequences of supply chain difficulties could be "brutal" and consumers would see less choice on the shelves.

"The Northern Ireland agricultural food sector had already undergone a period of severe disruption as a result of the Covid pandemic and unworkable complexities of the Northern Ireland protocol," he added.

About 40% of Northern Ireland's corn supply is sourced from Ukraine, he said.

Mr Poots said some pig farmers are at risk of going out of business

Mr Poots also said much of the grain exported from Ukraine was used for animal feed, and warned that a fall in supply will have significant consequences for the chicken, pork and dairy industries.

He continued to say some pig farmers are at risk of going out of business as the problems are most acute in the pork sector.

Northern Ireland also rely on nitrogen fertiliser imported from Russia so a reduction in supply would also result in lower crop yields.

"There is not going to be cheap fertiliser," he said.

"The question is, is there is going to be fertiliser? There will be fertiliser at a price."

On the issue of fuel, the minister said he hoped people would show common sense.

"If people stop panic buying then that would be a good thing and perhaps prices would settle a bit," he said.

'The perfect storm'

On Monday, Mr Poots met his ministerial counterparts from across the UK to discuss the difficulties the war in Ukraine was causing to the food supply chain in Northern Ireland.

He also confirmed he had written to George Eustice, the UK Minister for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to urge greater Government intervention.

"Alongside reductions in labour supply, rising input costs, supply chain disruptions and concerns about long-running inflation, they're all combining to create that perfect storm," said the Agriculture minister.

"It is vital we protect Northern Ireland's food supplies, making sure everyone can access safe quality food at prices that are affordable."

War in Ukraine: More coverage

• LIVE: Latest updates from Ukraine and nearby

• WATCH: Kyiv residents record life under siege

• ANALYSIS: Putin will search for a way to save face

• BUSINESS: The Western brands unable to leave Russia

• IN DEPTH: Full coverage of the conflict