DAERA's new Sustainable Agriculture Programme aims to
transition to a more sustainable farming sector by implementing
policies and strategies that benefit our climate and environment
while supporting our economically and socially significant
agri-food sector.
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting NI farm
businesses, DAERA has commenced payment of approximately
£250million to Northern Ireland farmers, DAERA Minister has confirmed.
The payments have been made under the Farm Sustainability
Transition Payment (FSTP), Young Farmer Payment, and Protein Crop
Scheme. The FSTP serves as a transition scheme to the Farm
Sustainability Payment within the Sustainable Agriculture
Programme (SAP).
This is the first major payment from the Sustainable Agriculture
Programme in 2025, laying an important foundation for the
programme's continued success.
On the first day of payments, Minister Muir said:
“Farmers are the bedrock of our countryside and its
custodians, and I am pleased that payments have commenced as we
transition towards the new Sustainable Agriculture
Programme.
“Over £242.4million has been paid out to 98% of eligible
businesses on the first day. This significant financial support
underscores my ongoing commitment to supporting our farmers for
the benefit of a more resilient and environmentally sustainable
agricultural sector. Northern Ireland is the only region of the
UK where funding for agriculture, agri-environment, fisheries and
rural development is ring-fenced, and I am proud to have secured
that certainty for the farming sector.
“Over the next couple of years, I look forward to
upscaling schemes within SAP and ensuring farmers can avail of a
range of support programmes, including the Farming with Nature
Package. Agriculture and nature recovery must go hand in hand as
we look to the future of farming.”
Payments will continue to be issued for the small number of
remaining applications on completion of successful validation
checks.
Farm businesses are reminded they should check that their contact
and bank details are up to date to ensure prompt payment.
Notification of payment details will be made through the DAERA
Messaging Service. This service is a secure, fast and convenient
way to view and respond to scheme correspondence. DAERA will
prompt farm businesses when a new message is available to view by
issuing an email to the scheme applicant. Paper letters will be
issued to farm businesses where an agent submitted the
application.
As DAERA moves towards digital communications, all members within
farm business are advised to register now with NIDA or Government
Gateway for a DAERA online account, even if they use an agent.
More communications from the Agricultural & Environmental
Schemes Division will be issued digitally and farmers should
check their emails (including Junk folder) regularly.
Notes to editors:
- DAERA's Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP) (formerly the
Farm Support and Development Programme) is being designed through
close engagement with external and internal stakeholders.
- The overall aim of the Programme is to transition to a more
sustainable farming sector by seeking to implement policies and
strategies that benefit our climate and environment while
supporting our economically and socially significant agri-food
sector.
- The main source of funding for the SAP is the NI Executive
Earmarked Agriculture Budget (£329.4million for 2025/26).
