New environmental farming projects are being given £14m of Government funding to go ahead.
Northern Ireland’s voluntary scheme, has already issued a total of £63 million, and offers a range of options for farmers to create environmental benefits on their farms.
DAERA’s Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) supports farmers to undertake measures to help climate change mitigation.
NI’s Minister for Agriculture, Edwin Poots said: “The EFS is an important but voluntary scheme which supports farmers to maintain biodiversity and improve water quality through a range of options.”
The fifth round of the EFS is expected to help around 500 farmers across Northern Ireland who are expected to be given the go-ahead before Christmas.
A range of arable options designed to enhance the biodiversity value of farms with minimal impact on cropping rotations or management will be available.
Mr Poots added that farmers who applied for EFS Wider Tranche 5 and have supplied all the information, can expect to receive their offers before the Christmas holidays.
“They will then have 21 days to confirm their acceptance of the five year agreement. The rest will be released in January 2022.”
Farmers will EFS queries should contact the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7848 or email efs@daera-ni.gov.uk
LSL News.