Breaking barriers in agriculture: MLA calls for action on Women in Farming Report

Farmers Margaret little & Delene Shannon alongside Diana Armstrong MLA and UFU President William Irvine

Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong has urged the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to act on key recommendations from the Breaking the Grass Ceiling report, calling for faster progress in achieving gender equality across Northern Ireland’s agricultural sector.

Speaking after attending the Women in Agriculture Conference at Loughry College — a sold-out event hosted by the Ulster Farmers’ Union under the theme “Cultivating a Healthier Future” — Ms Armstrong praised the leadership, innovation and resilience of women working across the farming industry.

“The event has sharpened my focus that more must be done to recognise the vital role women play in agriculture,” said Ms Armstrong.

“Women are central to the success of family farms across Northern Ireland, yet too often face outdated attitudes and barriers to equality. The Breaking the Grass Ceiling report from 2022 sets out clear steps to change this and we need to see those recommendations carried through by DAERA.”

Ms Armstrong highlighted several inspiring speakers at the conference, including Scottish livestock farmer Nicola Wordie, author and dairy beef farmer Lorna Sixsmith, and Emily Magowan, who has transformed her family’s sixth-generation vegetable farm into a thriving farm shop and deli employing more than 16 people.

“I was blown away by the passion and dedication of many of our female farmers,” she said. “It is clear women are leading the way on many farms.”

Ms Armstrong also underlined the vital contribution women make to Northern Ireland’s agri-food economy, which employs over 26,000 people, supplies more than 10 million consumers across the UK and beyond, and contributes around £6 billion to the regional economy.

“The Ulster Unionist Party recognises that women are integral to our agri-food economy that employs over 26,000 people, feeds 10 million consumers across the UK and beyond, and contributes £6 bn to Northern Ireland’s economy. Women in agriculture across the country aren’t just feeding their families, but are feeding the nation,” she said.

“Regrettably the Breaking the Grass Ceiling report highlights facts that we already know; women remain underrepresented in leadership roles on farms and face cultural and practical barriers across the industry. This needs to change.

“Women are very much part of the success story of Northern Ireland agriculture and deserve that recognition. The Ulster Unionist Party will continue to lobby for equality and opportunity in this vital sector.”