Other News In Brief

CAFRE Announces Dry Stone Walling Training Events

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has announced new dry stone walling training events from January to March 2022 at CAFRE's Glenwherry Hill Farm Centre.

The practical training courses will be an Introduction to single skinned Dry Stone Walling for field boundary repairs and maintenance.

Dry stone walls are an important part of the landscape which are durable and attractive field boundary features, which will last for many lifetimes if properly maintained. Dry stone walls also provide excellent shelter and homes for a wide range of small mammals, birds and insects. Excellent examples can be found in the Glens of Antrim and Mourne Mountains.

Many dry stone walls have been well maintained and remain effective stock proof barriers; others are in need of rebuilding. The course includes site preparation, stone selection and wall building as well as health and safety, and types and styles of dry stone walls.

CAFRE's Biodiversity Technologist, Nicola Warden explains that the course will give participants the skills and knowledge to repair and maintain a single skinned dry stone wall to be stock-proof, maintain biosecurity with neighbouring farms and comply with Agri-environment Scheme agreements. Each course will take place for one day and will include a short theory session followed by hands on practical.

Nicola comments that the course is open to all farmers, land managers or enthusiasts. To get more information including the dates of each course and importantly to book your place, please visit the CAFRE website.

Specialist Assured Skills Collaborative Pipe Welding Academy Announced

A new Specialist Assured Skills Collaborative Pipe Welding Academy at North West Regional College has been announced by Economy Minister Gordon Lyons.

This Academy follows on from the success of two recent Collaborative Welding Academies for which applicants with no previous welding experience were invited.

For this latest welding academy, previous welding experience, whether gained in a work or domestic informal setting, is required and the successful participants will secure a Level 3 industry recognised qualification in pipe (TIG) welding. Training will be delivered five weeks at the college’s Springtown campus, followed by two weeks of consolidation training at one of four participating engineering companies. Participants who complete the Academy are guaranteed an interview for a welding position at one of the companies.

Commenting on the further opportunities, the Minister said: "People with welding skills continue to be in high demand in our local engineering and manufacturing sector. This collaboration between the participating engineering companies and North West Regional College will help provide participants with an industry-recognised qualification.

"Previous welding experience, whether gained in a work or domestic informal setting, of pipe (TIG) welding is required to apply for this Academy. A weekly training allowance of £155 will be provided to participants for the full duration on the Academy and I would urge anyone who is interested and eligible to apply for this is a great opportunity."

Participants will receive £155 per week training allowance, travel expenses and, where eligible, assistance with childcare costs.

The online application form must be completed by midnight on 3 January 2022.

Green Party Calls For Agriculture Funding Reform

Green Party NI MLA Clare Bailey has called for agriculture funding to be reformed to assist farmers in the transition to net-zero.

Speaking in the NI Assembly about the draft Direct Payments to Farmers (Simplifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022, the South Belfast MLA said: "Simplifications and certainly for farmers are welcome, but it's disappointing that for a second year after leaving the EU's Common Agricultural Policy system, the changes being made in Northern Ireland are so insignificant. The rest of the UK has either introduced, or will be introducing, new agriculture legislation, whilst yet again, Northern Ireland is lagging behind.

"As agriculture is our highest emitting sector, Northern Ireland's farmers have a vital role to play in the transition to net-zero. I have spoken to farmers who are keen to make changes to reduce emissions, but are frustrated by the difficulty in accessing financial incentives and joining environmental schemes.

"We are in a climate emergency. Environmental farming schemes should be properly funded and easily accessible. The cross-party net-zero Climate Change Bill will introduce a Just Transition Fund for Agriculture, which will ensure that farmers will have access to financing to assist them achieving the emissions reductions we need to guarantee that Northern Ireland reaches net-zero."