"The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) creates an unnecessary bureaucratic burden for the farming industry. There is simply no need for it when the National Minimum Wage structure is in place for employment across the board.

"So much for the Agriculture Minister’s commitment to reducing ’red tape’.

"This is a ludicrous state of affairs and utterly discriminatory. Agricultural workers, like all workers, are already protected by the national minimum wage. Why then the need for Sinn Fein to grandstand on this by defending a totally pointless body?

"No other industry has such a wages scheme. Sinn Fein’s argument that they are trying to protect minority groups by retaining the AWB doesn’t stand up. Why should agricultural employees need a separate wages board, when other groups, for example hospitality workers, retail staff, and childcare professionals, do not have that same luxury?

"I am glad that the Employment Minister has seen fit to stand firm on this issue. When the Ulster Farmers’ Union itself is opposed to this pointless bureaucratic tier, politicians have a duty to start listening to those they claim to represent, rather than showboating for effect."