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.
28 November 2024
New Grants Scheme To Tackle Domestic And Sexual Abuse
The Justice and Health Ministers have launched a new small grants scheme aimed at reducing domestic and sexual abuse. The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy Small Grant Scheme will support community and voluntary organisations working with victims of abuse.
New Grants Scheme To Tackle Domestic And Sexual Abuse
The Justice and Health Ministers have launched a new small grants scheme aimed at reducing domestic and sexual abuse. The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy Small Grant Scheme will support community and voluntary organisations working with victims of abuse.
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.
20 November 2024
DAERA Minister Confirms Commitment to Deposit Return Scheme
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has reaffirmed his commitment to introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Northern Ireland. The DRS is designed to encourage recycling by offering a monetary incentive for returning single-use drinks containers. The scheme will cover PET plastic, steel, and aluminium containers ranging from 150ml to 3 litres.
DAERA Minister Confirms Commitment to Deposit Return Scheme
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has reaffirmed his commitment to introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Northern Ireland. The DRS is designed to encourage recycling by offering a monetary incentive for returning single-use drinks containers. The scheme will cover PET plastic, steel, and aluminium containers ranging from 150ml to 3 litres.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A largely dry evening and night. It will be mostly cloudy, but a few clear spells are possible in the east during the evening. Some patchy rain across the west shortly before dawn. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
