Am I eligible for the FwNT Scheme?
The FwNT Scheme is an annual Scheme with an annual cap. Farm businesses, who meet the eligibility and scheme requirements will be able to apply again in 2026.
To be eligible for FwNT you must:
- have a DAERA category 1 or 2 Business Identification Number (Business ID); and
2. not have a live EFS agreement (of any type) at the point of application.
Your Business must hold an active DAERA category 1 or 2 Business ID. If you do not have a Business ID you can apply using an FB1 form. If your Business ID is now dormant you may have to apply for a new Business ID using an FB1 form (Application for DAERA Business Identifier).
For further guidance on applying for a Business ID please refer to the guidance at:
Guide to DAERA Identification Numbers for Business Customers, Herd and Flock Keepers
You cannot apply for FwNT unless you are registered with us as a farm business and have a business ID. As the registration process can take time, you are strongly advised to do so as soon as possible.
If you are a new farm business and are not registered with DAERA, you should contact your local DAERA Direct Office immediately to get advice and Form FB1 (Application for DAERA Business Identifier).
Contact details for DAERA Direct Public Offices - opening hours are 9.00am - 4.00pm each working day (excluding 12:30 to 1:30pm).
Your land must be:
- located in Northern Ireland,
- land parcels which are currently mapped on the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS); and
- under your management control. Land should be under your management control for the duration necessary to carry out the selected action, per the specifications, and for any associated retention period, if applicable.
Land Eligibility
Actions will be available on land which is under your management control, on parcels mapped on LPIS.
Creation of a riparian buffer strip will be available on land with a watercourse, as defined by DAERA. The application system will show land that is eligible for this action. Land that does not show this action as available is not eligible.
Farmland tree planting cannot be carried out on permanent grassland sensitive areas, breeding wader or peatland sites as identified by DAERA. Any plot drawn for this action should not intersect with an ineligible feature (show on the map as purple hatching).
Retention of Winter Stubble and Multi Species Winter Cover Crop actions will be available on arable land, as determined by DAERA, subject to the specifications for each action as laid out below.
Land covered by FwNT actions will remain eligible for Farm Sustainability Transition Payment (FSTP) and for Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP) from 2026 onwards.
For details on land eligibility for 2025 please see:
Guide to Land Eligibility
Conacre land is eligible where it is under your management control.
As the creation of a riparian buffer strip has a retention period of 15 years and farmland tree planting has a retention period of 20 years you should have management control of the land for the duration of relevant retention period.
The following land is excluded:
- Tier 1 – fields that are within sites designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA) and RAMSAR sites.
- Tier 2 – fields that are within sites designated as biological Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).
- Tier 3 – Northern Ireland priority habitats and species areas outside designated sites.
Where completion of an action would result in a field being split, this would constitute a Farmer Notified Change (FNC), and you should contact DAERA on 0300 200 7848 to discuss.