New Farming with Nature Scheme Launched in Northern Ireland

Starting June 19, 2025, Northern Ireland will usher in the Farming with Nature Scheme, a transformative initiative by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. This scheme, running until March 31, 2027, aims to harmonize farming practices with environmental conservation, offering financial incentives to farmers who adopt nature-friendly practices.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, farms must hold a Category 1 or 2 DAERA Farm Business ID and have no active Environmental Farming Scheme agreements. Importantly, farms must manage fields autonomously to qualify.

Eligible Actions and Payments

Farmers can receive payments of up to £9,500 per year by engaging in various eco-friendly actions. These include:

• Hedgerow Planting: Farmers can earn £6.49 per meter for planting native hedgerows, ensuring no existing hedgerows are overshadowed or contiguous.

• Riparian Buffer Strips: By creating buffer strips alongside watercourses, farmers can earn up to £4.93 per meter. These strips must be fenced off to protect water quality.

• Tree Planting: Planting native trees like oak or birch offers a hefty £6,756 per hectare, with trees to be preserved for at least 20 years.

• Winter Stubble and Cover Crops: Retaining winter stubble or planting multi-species winter cover crops can also earn farmers payments, contributing to soil health and biodiversity.

Supporting Items

Farmers can also get paid for installing protective fencing, gates, drinking troughs, and pasture pumps, provided they meet specific criteria regarding materials and placement.

Regulatory Adjustments

Notably, the scheme modifies some existing EU regulations to streamline the process, including reducing on-the-spot checks to 1% and adjusting certain administrative requirements.

Ensuring Compliance

The scheme empowers authorized persons to inspect and verify compliance, ensuring that farmers meet all eligibility and implementation criteria. Non-compliance can lead to payment recovery or penalties.

For those interested, the scheme details, including eligible species for planting and specific fencing requirements, are outlined in the schedules accompanying the regulations. This initiative not only supports farmers financially but also significantly contributes to Northern Ireland's environmental stewardship efforts.