About the Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP)

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Sustainable Agriculture Programme

Background to the SAP, its aim, and how we’ve worked closely with our stakeholders in its development.

About the SAP

Sustainable Agriculture Programme Vision infographic

The SAP’s overall aim 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 vision for the SAP in Northern Ireland is defined around four key outcomes:

An industry with improved environmental sustainability in terms of its impact on, and guardianship of, air and water quality, soil health and biodiversity, while making its fair contribution to achieving net zero carbon targets. This outcome is an integral part of the new Green Growth Strategy and associated Climate Action Plan.
An industry with enhanced productivity in international terms as a means to sustain profitability, closing the productivity gap which has been opening up with other major countries.
An industry that displays stronger resilience to external shocks (such as market and currency volatility, extreme weather events, etc.) which are ever more frequent and to which the industry has become very exposed.
An industry that operates within an effective functioning supply chain, with clear transmission of market signals and an overriding focus on high quality food and the end consumer.

SAP: Working with Stakeholders

The SAP is being developed in consultation with stakeholders across the food, farming and environmental sectors.

	Northern Ireland Future Agricultural Policy Framework Published in August 2018, this is a high level framework for agricultural policy in Northern Ireland following the UK’s exit from the EU, with associated objectives, policy instruments and broad delivery mechanisms.
	Future Agricultural Policy Framework Portfolio Published in 2021, the Future Agricultural Policy Framework Portfolio charts the way forward to a Future Agricultural Policy that better meets the needs of Northern Ireland. It takes into account views from key stakeholders from across food, farming and the environment from an engagement exercise in 2018.
	Consultation on Future Agricultural Policy Proposals for Northern Ireland A public consultation exercise on the associated Future Agricultural Policy Proposals opened for a period of 8 weeks on 21 December 2021 closing on 15 February 2022.
	Summary of Responses: Consultation on Future Agricultural Policy Proposals for Northern Ireland This document summarises the responses received for the consultation on the policy proposals for the portfolio of measures, actions and cross cutting initiatives developed under this Programme which emerged from the published Future Agricultural Policy Framework Portfolio. The consultation closed on 15 February 2022 following an 8-week period.
	Future Agricultural Policy Decisions for Northern Ireland This document outlines the 54 Future Agricultural Policy Decisions for Northern Ireland announced in March 2022 following the Consultation.

Work has continued at pace under the direction of Minister Muir to develop and implement the SAP. Minister Muir delivered an Oral Statement to the NI Assembly on 14 May 2024 outlining his vision for the Programme (Minister Muir's Oral Statement on 14 May 2024). In January 2025, in line with his priorities, he re-named the Programme to the SAP to clearly relay its importance in supporting change for a sustainable future (Update on DAERA's New Programme of Farm Support - 29 January 2025). Partnership working and effective communication continue to be integral to the continued development and implementation of the SAP.

The Agricultural Policy Stakeholder Group (APSG) brings together representatives across food, farming and the environment. APSG meetings have been held regularly since its inception in June 2021 and engagement with the group is ongoing on a regular basis. It provides a forum for dialogue between DAERA and key stakeholders at each key stage of the development process.

In addition, the Carbon Farming Partnership, and working groups for Farming with Nature, Farming for the Generations and Sheep Sector Support have been established to ensure that stakeholder views are understood and properly considered during policy development and scheme delivery.

SAP: Impact Assessments

Environmental Assessments

Rural Needs Asssessments

Regulatory Impact Assessments

Equality Considerations

SAP: Useful Links

Action being take to address the issues of Lough Neagh Action being taken to address the issues of Lough Neagh
Minister Muir’s Written Statement on the Sustainable Agriculture Programme Update on DAERA's New Programme of Farm Support - 29 January 2025
SAP contributing to enhancing water quality in Northern Ireland

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