Her comments come after Sinn Fein backed the SDLP’s ‘Saving Lough Neagh’ motion in the Stormont Assembly on Tuesday evening, expressing regret for its ‘misguided’ support for a motion calling for a public consultation on the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) to be withdrawn.

Speaking on the BBC Nolan Show this week, the Upper Bann MP said: “Sinn Fein’s dramatic U-turn is very bizarre, especially as they gave no signal or indication of a shift in view. Earlier this week at a public meeting about Lough Neagh a Sinn Fein representative waxed lyrical about the importance of farming and our farmers. It looks very like Sinn Fein is being pushed around by what they think is political expedience.

“On the 10^th of June, Sinn Fein voted alongside the UUP and TUV to support the Scrap the NAP motion brought forward by DUP deputy leader, Michelle McIlveen MLA. The motion sought fair and workable evidence-based solutions, recognising the need to tackle all sources of pollution.

“The cross-party vote was carried 52 votes to 23, sending a strong message to the Minister and DAERA to scrap the NAP 2026-2029 proposals in their current form.”

“Now three months later Sinn Fein has performed a spectacular U-turn - turning its back on the farming community. The party’s agriculture spokesperson, Declan McAleer MLA, has publicly voiced his strong opposition to NAP since it was unveiled in May.”

Mr McAleer is on record describing the DAERA Minister’s plans as “unworkable”, adding “This could put many farmers out of business, impacting the rural and wider economy.” Mr McAleer also said: “The timelines currently set out would be very difficult for many farmers. Most LESSE equipment is not accessible or affordable, especially for smaller hill farms in areas of natural constraint.”

Carla Lockhart added: “Agriculture is the cornerstone of the Northern Ireland economy. NAP is not a green or orange issue, it’s a ‘disastrous policy’, a ‘hammer blow’ for farmers and an ‘industry bombshell’. The current proposals have left farmers from all political backgrounds in fear for their livelihoods and the future of their farm businesses.

“NAP’s 30 draconian recommendations are disproportionate, unrealistic and include top-heavy enforcement and financial penalties. This will ultimately force de-stocking, push farmers to rent or buy more land, and set impossible targets which will have far-reaching consequences across the entire agri-food sector.

“The Scrap the Nap motion attracted cross-party support and was aimed at encouraging the Minister to go back to the drawing board, conduct an economic impact assessment, and start again with a co-designed scheme.

“Rural towns, villages and hamlets throughout Northern Ireland are reliant on the agri-food sector. The Alliance Party, now backed by Sinn Fein, is in favour of a radical policy and have no thought for thousands of family farms and the destruction it will cause to the economy.”

The MP continued: “Sinn Fein has yet to explain the rationale behind its sharp U-turn. Either they didn’t understand what they were doing in June, or they don’t understand it now. Sinn Fein’s farming electorate will be left feeling betrayed and wondering what direction the ship is headed - a ship that First Minister Michelle O’Neill claims to command.

“The SDLP has also ‘stuck the boot in’ with regard to farming, as its recent proposals to restore the lough include raising revenue by taxing the profits of top agri-food producers.”

“Lough Neagh is an asset for all communities in Northern Ireland, but unfortunately there are no quick fixes for the ongoing ecological issue. Blue green algae is a naturally-occurring global problem which has been accelerated by the presence of surplus nutrients such as phosphorus, invasive zebra mussels and climate change.”

Carla Lockhart confirmed: “The DUP is fully committed to safeguarding the future of Lough Neagh, but it isn’t in agreement with Minister Muir’s anti-farming agenda and his department’s consistent and constant victimisation of farmers.”

“The majority of farmers have already ‘bought in’ to their environmental responsibilities, especially when it comes to nutrient storage and lower emission slurry spreading equipment. DAERA figures prove that surplus P balance from farming has fell by 29% over the last five years.

“Farmers must not be used as scapegoats due to the failings of others. Two-thirds of pollution in our waterways is caused by non-farming related incidents. It’s undisputable there are other factors at play such as untreated sewage, industrial and domestic pollution.”

Concluding, the MP added: “The challenges are real and the hard truth is that every human being must contribute to improving water quality. Whilst the finger of blame is firmly pointed at agriculture, there is no accountability for the discharge of raw sewage, the leaking septic tanks and the abundance of phosphorus-containing cleaning products and detergents that are poured down our drains on a daily basis. 

“The Lough Neagh Action plan and NAP obligations must be delivered in a pragmatic way. Farmers cannot shoulder the burden while corporate agencies go unchallenged. Future policy and legislation must be fair to all!