Welcome to Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

What we can do together to protect our environment including the Environmental Improvement Plan

Information about diseases, disease control and prevention, welfare of farmed and non-farmed animals, trade, importing and exporting animals and authorisation of PVPs for these official activities.

Protecting and preserving Northern Ireland's wildlife and habitats from invasive alien species and other environmental threats.

Climate Change is the issue of our time. DAERA and the Northern Ireland Executive are working in partnership with local councils, businesses and organisations to help tackle this issue. As part of our commitment to tackling climate change, we need to meet the Net Zero targets by 2050 as set out in the Climate Change Act NI 2022.

Inland Fisheries is responsible for developing angling and commercial fishing policy in relation to the conservation, protection, development, and improvement of Salmon and Inland Fisheries in Northern Ireland.

Information on agri-environment schemes, water quality, renewable energy and employing people on your farm.

Pages relating to the departments response to COVID-19

Information on areas of crop growing and horticulture including combinable crops, potatoes, fruits and vegetables, seeds and nursery stock.

Education and training courses for the land-based and food industries and development programmes.

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.

A New Programme of Farm Support

Sea fisheries, inland fisheries, aquaculture and fish health policy in Northern Ireland.

Meat inspection, milk and milk products, personal food imports, egg packers

Forestry education, forest industry, forestry and the environment, forest planning.Contact the NI Forest ServiceInformation on plant and tree healthUK Forestry Standard

DAERA offers a wide range of grants and funding to support local farming, fisheries, rural business, communities and environmental NGOs.

Green Growth means using the move from a high to a low greenhouse gas emissions society to improve people’s quality of life through green jobs and a clean environment. DAERA has been leading the development of the Green Growth Strategy, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive. The Green Growth Strategy will set a high-level vision to ensure future government policy making has climate, environment and a green economy at its core.

Information on land quality and soil as well as details on the geology of Northern Ireland's distinctive and precious landscapes.

Information on key areas of livestock farming including dairy, beef, sheep, pigs, poultry and grass.

Information for Food Competent Certifying Officers regarding official certification of fish, fish products, composite products (containing egg and or fish) and egg products.

Protecting Northern Ireland's coastal and marine environment via legislation, licensing and permits and conservation activities

If you or your business move live animals and certain products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland there are certain requirements you need to adhere to.

NIFAIS, the Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System, will be a new flexible and innovative IT system that supports efficient and effective delivery of current and future food animal information services.

Pests and diseases, pesticides, plant passporting, imports and exports, surveys and compliance.

Activities undertaken to prevent, monitor and control pollution of the air, land and water.

DAERA and NIEA have responsibility in NI for making sure waste and resources are managed in a sustainable and safe way. This page is intended to be a “one stop shop” for any queries you have on waste policy (including legislation and regulation).

Management and implementation of the Rural Development Programme and the Rural White Paper Action Plan

This section contains advice, guidance, information and other resources for public authorities in relation to their duties under the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs provides a range of statistics covering agriculture, environment, rural communities, animal health, fisheries, food and forestry in Northern Ireland.

Information relating to sustainable development and prosperity agreements.

Protecting the aquatic environment by regulating water quality and hydrological processes whilst considering the needs of industry, agriculture and the protection of public health.

The Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024 came into force on 12 April 2024. The Regulations confer powers upon the Secretary of State in relation to Articles 5-7 and Annex 2 of the Windsor Framework, however, the UK Government has committed to exercising these powers only to the extent necessary to support the operation of the Windsor Framework, including relevant commitments of the Safeguarding the Union command paper.