Thousands of tonnes of slurry for pork for China?

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CLAIM: Thousands of tonnes of slurry are being spread on farmland, all due to exporting pork to China, according to Channel 4 News.

CONCLUSION: UNSUBSTANTIATED. The export of 1,450 pigs would represent 1,000 tonnes of slurry (based on an estimate of 957,495 tonnes p.a.). Tonnage figures for pork exports from Northern Ireland are unavailable. A secondary claim that “there’ll soon be as many pigs as people in Northern Ireland” is inaccurate; there were 633,600 pigs in 2018 and the mid-year 2018 population of Northern Ireland was 1,881,600. Continue reading Thousands of tonnes of slurry for pork for China?

When fact-checking isn’t about “right” or “wrong” (WACC Global)

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When fact-checking isn’t about “right” or “wrong”
by WACC Global
16 September 2019

The rise of “fake news” charges and deliberate disinformation have led to an important counter effort: fact-checking. News agencies, civil society organisations, and concerned individuals have taken on the fight for “truth” – assessing political claims and struggling to prevent misinformation guiding our decisions and behaviour. Continue reading When fact-checking isn’t about “right” or “wrong” (WACC Global)

Is a food bank feeding 1 in 5 in Enniskillen?

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CLAIM: Food bank in Enniskillen now feeding 1 in 5 people in the town.

CONCLUSION: INACCURATE. A formula by Trussell Trust results in 1,079 delivered food bank parcels representing an estimated 540 unique users. This would represent 9.8%, or 1 in 10, of the population of Enniskillen town. Continue reading Is a food bank feeding 1 in 5 in Enniskillen?

Do 40% of Unionists support a potential Irish Sea trade border?

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CLAIM: 40% of Unionists are happy about a potential trade border in the Irish Sea.

CONCLUSION: INACCURATE. 15% of unionists in a LucidTalk poll in August 2019 said there should be a “Northern Ireland specific backstop.” 81% of those declaring as unionists said there should not. Continue reading Do 40% of Unionists support a potential Irish Sea trade border?

Brexit box viral graphic fact check

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A graphic about what actions have been made by the European Union and the UK, respectively, since negotiations for the UK to leave the EU began on 29 March 2017 has been shared at least 74,000 times on Facebook. The infographic makes twelve separate claims; FactCheckNI has fact checked each of them. We interpret “has” with reference to the date of action delivered, not announced. Continue reading Brexit box viral graphic fact check

Has the DUP brought an extra £1bn?

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CLAIM: Arlene Foster, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, said that the party delivered “an extra billion pounds” for Northern Ireland.

CONCLUSION: ACCURATE. The £1bn is specific to the jurisdiction of Northern Ireland and is in addition to funding pledged as a result of the Stormont House Agreement and Fresh Start Agreement. An estimated £420m remains to be spent. Continue reading Has the DUP brought an extra £1bn?