The UFU had written to the Minister requesting DARD to amend this years set-aside rules to allow local farmers, affected by ongoing poor weather conditions, to graze or harvest set-aside land.

UFU President Kenneth Sharkey said that with the wet weather conditions continuing, this is the right decision by the Agriculture Minister.

"This is the sort of positive decision making which we want to see from our newly restored Executive. Amending the set-aside rules potentially frees up almost 2,000 hectares of farmland for use which will be very helpful to local farmers who in many cases are facing significant problems caused by the extremely wet conditions,” he added.