He was speaking in response to comments from the Ulster Farmers’ Union after they passed a vote of no confidence in the department – a stance he described as “counterproductive and disingenuous”.

He added: “Under Alliance Minister Andrew Muir’s leadership, DAERA is committed to working with others to deliver a successful future for agriculture alongside the much-needed restoration of our environment.

“This latest move is neither constructive nor acting in the interests of the farming community longer term, especially given that many of these challenges have mounted under previous inaction by former DAERA Ministers,” he said.

“Minister Muir has fought for funding for agriculture, ring-fencing over £300m for the sector, as well as securing £12.3m for a Just Transition Fund. He is rolling out our new Sustainable Agricultural Programme and has been engaging with the Finance Minister for further financial support for the industry.

“However, the Minister also has a duty to everyone in Northern Ireland to protect our environment, and Alliance makes no apologies for that. It would be better if the UFU worked with DAERA to identify solutions to the problems we collectively face.”