Menu
24/03/2022
£6m Allocated To Environmental Farming Scheme
Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced the allocation of £6 million for the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS).
Making the announcement, Minister Poots said: "I am delighted to confirm that we have processed 92% of all EFS Wider and Higher 2021 claims and where a payment is due to these businesses they have been made. Payments worth more than £6million have now been issued.
"The remaining claims will be processed and payments issued as soon as possible, following appropriate checks and validations. Since the scheme started we have paid some £50m to participating businesses. That's over 5,500 EFS agreements.
"The Environmental Farming Scheme is a key part of my department's efforts to support the environmental stewardship carried out by farmers in Northern Ireland, improving and protecting the environment for us all."
EFS supports farmers and land managers to carry out environmentally beneficial farming practices on agricultural land ranging from hedge planting to reducing grazing pressure on blanket bog habitat.
Payment claims for the 2022 scheme year can be made from 6 April via the Single Application and Maps Service.
Participants in this scheme must submit an EFS claim each year on their Single Application, whether or not a payment is due, to avoid financial penalties or the cancellation of their EFS agreement. Claimants are reminded that, as the EFS is a five-year agreement, work claimed for and paid on must remain available for inspection at any time during this period. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the scheme may lead to penalties and recovery of any payments made.
Applications for tranche 6 of EFS Higher will open on 27 April 2022 and close on 13 May 2022. Applications for tranche 6 EFS Wider will open later this year.
Single Applications and applications for tranche 6 of the EFS can be submitted online.
Making the announcement, Minister Poots said: "I am delighted to confirm that we have processed 92% of all EFS Wider and Higher 2021 claims and where a payment is due to these businesses they have been made. Payments worth more than £6million have now been issued.
"The remaining claims will be processed and payments issued as soon as possible, following appropriate checks and validations. Since the scheme started we have paid some £50m to participating businesses. That's over 5,500 EFS agreements.
"The Environmental Farming Scheme is a key part of my department's efforts to support the environmental stewardship carried out by farmers in Northern Ireland, improving and protecting the environment for us all."
EFS supports farmers and land managers to carry out environmentally beneficial farming practices on agricultural land ranging from hedge planting to reducing grazing pressure on blanket bog habitat.
Payment claims for the 2022 scheme year can be made from 6 April via the Single Application and Maps Service.
Participants in this scheme must submit an EFS claim each year on their Single Application, whether or not a payment is due, to avoid financial penalties or the cancellation of their EFS agreement. Claimants are reminded that, as the EFS is a five-year agreement, work claimed for and paid on must remain available for inspection at any time during this period. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the scheme may lead to penalties and recovery of any payments made.
Applications for tranche 6 of EFS Higher will open on 27 April 2022 and close on 13 May 2022. Applications for tranche 6 EFS Wider will open later this year.
Single Applications and applications for tranche 6 of the EFS can be submitted online.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 April 2023
DAERA Pays Out Almost £9m To EFS Agreement Holders
Payments totalling £8.96 million has been paid out to Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) agreement holders, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced. Payment for claims made in 2022 commenced on Monday, 17 April, with over 90% of claims paid on that day.
DAERA Pays Out Almost £9m To EFS Agreement Holders
Payments totalling £8.96 million has been paid out to Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) agreement holders, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced. Payment for claims made in 2022 commenced on Monday, 17 April, with over 90% of claims paid on that day.
08 December 2021
New £14m Funding Package Announced To Develop Environment Projects
Minister for the Environment Edwin Poots has announced a new £14 million funding package to assist farmers develop new environment projects. Under the fifth round of DAERA's Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS), successful applicants can expect to receive their online offer of an agreement in the next couple of weeks.
New £14m Funding Package Announced To Develop Environment Projects
Minister for the Environment Edwin Poots has announced a new £14 million funding package to assist farmers develop new environment projects. Under the fifth round of DAERA's Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS), successful applicants can expect to receive their online offer of an agreement in the next couple of weeks.
27 August 2021
Minister 'Takes To The Waves' To See Work Of RSPB
Edwin Poots has "taken to the waves" for a visit to Lower Lough Erne to see the work of the RSPB to enhance breeding habitats on a number of islands. Speaking after the visits, the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, said: "Any action to help our declining populations of breeding waders, especially curlew, has to be welcomed.
Minister 'Takes To The Waves' To See Work Of RSPB
Edwin Poots has "taken to the waves" for a visit to Lower Lough Erne to see the work of the RSPB to enhance breeding habitats on a number of islands. Speaking after the visits, the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, said: "Any action to help our declining populations of breeding waders, especially curlew, has to be welcomed.
21 March 2022
Dept Makes Contact With People Eligible For HSH Remedy Payments
Emails have begun to be sent to all those potentially eligible for a remedy payment under the High Street Scheme, the Department for the Economy has announced.
Dept Makes Contact With People Eligible For HSH Remedy Payments
Emails have begun to be sent to all those potentially eligible for a remedy payment under the High Street Scheme, the Department for the Economy has announced.
18 November 2020
Brexit Unique Opportunity For NI To 'Shake Up' Agriculture Policies
As the UK's exit from the EU approaches, Northern Ireland has a unique opportunity to shake up its agricultural policies and support schemes for the first time in 40 years, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots has said.
Brexit Unique Opportunity For NI To 'Shake Up' Agriculture Policies
As the UK's exit from the EU approaches, Northern Ireland has a unique opportunity to shake up its agricultural policies and support schemes for the first time in 40 years, Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots has said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
