1 in 5 A5 farms will suffer

But whilst admitting under 20 per cent of 282 farms affected by the road will suffer a negative impact, the Minister said she believes the overall effect on the industry will be small.

“It is the responsibility of the Department of Regional Development (DRD) to ensure the impact of any roads scheme is properly assessed. The Minister for Regional Development has advised me that his Department’s Roads Service carried out Agricultural Impact Assessments for 282 farms across the entire A5 dualling scheme,” she stated. “The reality is that fewer than 20 percent of these farms will be substantially impacted. I am content that, while this scheme will undoubtedly have a negative impact on some individual farm businesses, the overall impact on the agriculture industry will be minimal. It is also important to bear in mind that the Executive approved this scheme,” she added.