DAERA Minister has outlined the range of farm
support measures available within the new Sustainable Agriculture
Programme (SAP). The SAP provides support to ensure dairy farmers
across Northern Ireland continue to make a major
contribution to the economy and play a key role in addressing the
serious environmental and climate challenges.
Speaking at the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland conference,
the Minister said: “Locally we produce some of the finest dairy
products in the world including milk, butter, cheese and cream,
with over 2.4 billion litres of milk processed annually and
exported to over 80 countries around the globe.
“With over 3,000 dairy farming families, approximately 317,000
dairy cows and employing over 2,300 people within our dairy
processing sector. The Northern Ireland dairy industry is an
important contributor to our local economy with milk contributing
to 31% of the gross output of NI agriculture in 2023.
“I believe whole heartedly in the potential of our agriculture
sector to rise to the challenge of continuing to produce healthy,
nutritious food, whilst doing more to tackle the climate and
nature crisis. Farming has a huge amount to gain from
taking an active role in improving our environment, and I am
determined to support farmers in this endeavour. The schemes and
measures of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme will play an
instrumental role in supporting our dairy farmers make the
changes on-farm to deliver a more sustainable future for current
and future generations.”
The Minister also referenced his ambition to invest in nature
friendly farming with farmers, being rewarded for delivering
environmental public goods, alongside food production. Farming
with Nature will become one of the key pillars within SAP and
farmers will be rewarded for delivering essential ecosystem
services.
“The Farming with Nature Package will be introduced in a phased
approach with the aim of increasing the extent, quality and
connectivity of habitats in the farm landscape within and outside
of designated sites and priority habitat areas
“I plan to say more about this Package at Balmoral Show, together
with opening dates subject to business cases and legislation
being in place,” the Minister added.
