Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Our responsibilities
Angling
Angling policy including the role of Inland Fisheries, angling farms and stations and the conservation and protection of salmon and eels.
… moreAnimal health and welfare
Information about diseases, disease control and prevention, welfare of farmed and non-farmed animals as well as importing and exporting animals.
… moreBiodiversity
Protecting and preserving Northern Ireland's wildlife and habitats from invasive alien species and other environmental threats.
… moreCountryside management and managing your business
Information on agri-environment schemes, water quality, renewable energy and employing people on your farm.
… moreCrops and horticulture
Information on areas of crop growing and horticulture including combinable crops, potatoes, fruits and vegetables, seeds and nursery stock.
… moreEducation and research
Education and training courses for the land-based and food industries and development programmes
… moreEnvironmental advice for planners
DAERA has a role in development management and responds to development proposals where there is potential for impacts on the natural and marine environments and fisheries interests.
… moreForestry
Forestry education, forest industry, forestry and the environment, forest planning.Contact the NI Forest ServiceInformation on plant and tree health
… moreGrants and funding
There is a wide range of grant and subsidy schemes to support local farming, fisheries, rural businesses and communities.
… moreLand and landscapes
Information on land quality and soil as well as details on the geology of Northern Ireland's distinctive and precious landscapes.
… moreLivestock farming
Information on key areas of livestock farming including dairy, beef, sheep, pigs, poultry and grass.
… moreMarine
Protecting Northern Ireland's coastal and marine environment via legislation, licensing and permits and conservation activities
… morePlant and tree health
Pests and diseases, pesticides, plant passporting, imports and exports, surveys and compliance.
… morePollution
Activities undertaken to prevent, monitor and control pollution of the air, land and water
… moreProtect the environment
Actions taken to raise awareness and counteract threats to the environment on both a local and global scale
… moreRural development
Management and implementation of the Rural Development Programme and the Rural White Paper Action Plan
… moreStatistics
A range of statistics covering agriculture, environment, rural communities, food, animal health, fisheries and forestry in Northern Ireland.
… moreWe work with these bodies
Our documents
Consultations
Publications
Access to information
How to request information from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs including Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and the use of our Publication Scheme.
Management and structure
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has responsibility for food, farming, environmental, fisheries, forestry and sustainability policy and the development of the rural sector in Northern Ireland. ... more
Contact us
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Ballymiscaw
Belfast BT4 3SB
Customer service
You can telephone our offices between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. The opening times of our public offices are displayed on our DAERA website. Our offices are closed on most bank holidays and public holidays. Different opening hours apply to our public facilities such as forest and country parks, and information is available locally and on our website. Please note that it is not possible to see members of the public at DAERA Headquarters in Dundonald House without a pre-arranged appointment.
Seeing callers
Officials will make every effort to meet with you at your nearest public office.
If you have a pre-arranged appointment, we aim to see you within 10 minutes of the agreed time. If we have to cancel an appointment, we will explain why, give you as much notice as possible and arrange a new time to suit you.
If you have not made an appointment with us, we aim to see you within 15 minutes of your arrival. If you are waiting longer, we will explain why and keep you informed. A queuing system may be introduced in our public offices at busy periods.