WITH TEN MPs elected to Westminster, Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party has promised to fight for a secure future for farmers and fishermen in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Following the Brexit vote, Northern Ireland farmers expressed concerns that they could potentially lose £260m in payments from Europe. While a deal between the Conservative Party and the DUP is still being negotiated, DUP MPs have said that they will ensure farming and fishing is high up the agenda in Brexit negotiations.

Jim Shannon, a DUP MP for the past seven years newly re-elected to serve the people of Strangford, said that the party was in a strong position to fight a good battle for farmers and fishermen.

“We’re in the business,” said Mr Shannon. “With ten members elected to Parliament we will make sure both the farming and fishing industries will be discussed to the benefit of both in Westminster.

“We were always Brexiteers and made sure to get the message across to Westminster that the European Union’s Single Payment system to farmers must be replicated when the UK leaves the EU," he said.

Mr Shannon stressed that Brexit does not need to mean a hard barb-wired border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, and that it can be a soft seamless paper border that will benefit both trading partners in the future.

“Everyone fears these talks of a hard border but I agree it must be a soft border that will ensure the goods from both countries can move easily between them,” he said.

Charlie Weir, who milks 600 cows in Waringstown, County Down, agreed that the DUP was now in an excellent position to make its presence felt in Westminster: “Farm subsidies have been assured until 2020 and it is now up to those with the power in Westminster to ensure a similar programme emerges.

“With a strong DUP Brexit team in place, farming and other industries should see a favourable future in Northern Ireland," said Mr Weir. "Whatever deal the DUP can do with the Tories, I want to see a sustainable future in farming for everyone. However, I would be happier with a better price for my produce rather than to rely on subsidies in the future,"