The DUP submitted a Prayer of Annulment against these regulations to the Assembly yesterday (24 February), which the UUP, TUV and other unionist representatives supported.

The South Antrim MLA said: “The Prayer of Annulment tabled by the DUP was a reckless move driven by ideology that would have jeopardised crucial measures necessary for the enforcement of effective identification, registration, and movement of livestock in our agricultural sector. 

“These regulations are vital for our agri-food industry, sustaining consumer confidence and enabling trade. The secondary legislation laid by the DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, addresses long-standing issues worsened by past inaction by the previous Minister.

“By endorsing this annulment, unionist representatives have made it clear that they are willing to severely compromise farm to fork traceability, which is essential for ensuring ongoing consumer confidence. This would threaten integrity of our agri-food industry and vastly diminish valuable export potential, fundamental for ensuring job security in the agri-food sector.

“I am particularly concerned that the their actions seem more ideologically driven than genuinely concerned about animal health and food safety. 

“I am glad these attempts to thwart progress were stopped in their tracks. I urge these parties and representatives to consider their decision and the wider consequences that the Prayer of Annulment could have caused. 

“The Alliance Party, along with Alliance DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, will keep focusing on delivering strong and sustainable future for agri-food built upon the fundamental need for traceability.”