THE Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) last night hosted its first in a series of meetings on Brexit.
The union said the series will give farmers an opportunity to "engage in the most significant debate in a generation".
UFU president, Barclay Bell is hosting the meetings which he said would contribute to the position the UFU will adopt in its discussions with politicians in Northern Ireland and in London.
“These will not be easy negotiations – but it's important we are able to enter them with the strength of farmer opinion on our side," he said..
"Then we can say, with no doubts, exactly what farmers in Northern Ireland expect after Brexit."
Key issues include trade, support and the challenge of maintaining the traditional cross border trade in farm products.
“None are easy issues, but they are vital for farmers," said Mr Bell.
"The negotiations will be challenging, but we need to know what our members expect Brexit to deliver. We will use the meetings to set out the position at this stage, as we understand it.
"But, above all, they are an opportunity for our members to debate issues that will have a fundamental impact on their businesses, across all enterprises, in the years after the UK leaves the EU in 2019,” said the UFU president.
A second meeting will take place tonight at La Mon Hotel while Roe Park Resort is the venue for a meeting on Thursday followed by Tullyglass Hotel (November 1); The Silverbirch Hote (November 2) and Killyhevlin Hotel (November 3). All meetings start at 8pm.
