Exceptional Adjustment Aid
On 30 November 2016, DAERA announced a £4million package of support for local livestock farmers provided under EU Exceptional Adjustment Aid (EAA). A further aid scheme was announced on 5 May 2017.
The EAA package included four schemes:
- a scheme to incentivise the humane removal of BVD infected animals;
- a scheme to improve pig meat quality, which is now closed for applications;
- a scheme to help farmers manage soils and nutrients more effectively, which is now closed for applications; and
- a scheme for direct payments to small scale dairy farmers, which is now closed for applications.
EU Exceptional Adjustment Aid is a one-off package. Funding needs to be spent by 30th September 2017.
DAERA is aiming to ensure that Northern Ireland’s EAA allocation is used in full for the benefit of dairy and livestock farmers here.
BVD PI Removal Incentivisation Scheme
The Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) Persistently Infected (PI) Incentive Scheme is delivered in partnership with farming industry bodies LMC and AHWNI. DAERA is working closely with both bodies to promote the Scheme to farmers and make them aware of its availability and how they can apply.
All farmers with a positive test result receive both a claim form and a guidance leaflet along with their letter confirming the positive BVD test result.
The rates of financial assistance available are:
- £160 for a beef calf;
- £130 for a dairy heifer calf;
- £50 for a dairy male calf.
Payments will be limited to six animals per farm business.
The Scheme is funded through the one-off EU Exceptional Adjustment Aid package and as such is time limited. There are no plans at this time to extend the Scheme beyond 30th September.
BVD PI Removal Incentivisation Scheme guidelines and details of how to apply can be found by following the link below:
Please note that this Scheme closed for applications on 30 September 2017.
The Pig Industry Competitiveness Scheme
The Pig Industry Competitiveness Scheme aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Northern Ireland (NI) Pig Industry through financial support for the provision of appropriate endoparasites control medication. The Scheme will contribute funding towards the cost of wormer medication for pig herds.
To be eligible for the scheme, producers must:
- have a Category 1 or Category 2 DAERA Farm Business Identification Number;
- have a representative of the farm business attend a Farm Family Key Skills pig health training workshop on respiratory and parasitic control. These courses are organised by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) and are available through the link below; and
- obtain written confirmation a veterinary practitioner that, in their professional opinion, pig endoparasites are present in the producer’s herd or have been in the last six months.
Please note that this Scheme closed for applications on 31 May 2017. The claims payment deadline for this Scheme was 4pm on 1 September 2017.
Further details about the scheme is available here:
Pig Health Training Course
Information on the required Respiratory and Parasitic Workshop under the Farm Family Key Skills programme can be found here:
Soil Sampling and Analysis Scheme
Applications to this Scheme closed on 19 June 2017
The soil sampling service will provide participating farmers with detailed information on their soils, such as pH level and nutrient requirements for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). By optimising pH and applying slurry, manure and chemical fertiliser in line with crop need, farmers can maximise crop yields, increase soil fertility and increase farm profitability, while also improving environmental performance.
There are two components to the scheme:
- Component 1, aimed at all livestock farmers and known as the “Open Scheme”
- Component 2, targeted at farmers within parts of the Upper Bann catchment and known as the “Catchment Scheme”.
The Scheme is being delivered by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) on behalf DAERA.
Please note that this Scheme closed for applications on 19 June 2017.
Further details about the scheme is available here:
https://www.afbini.gov.uk/eu-eaa-soil-sampling-and-analysis-scheme
Small Scale Dairy Farmer Scheme
Applications for this Scheme closed on 31 May 2017
The Small Scale Dairy Farmer Scheme is being delivered by the Rural Payments Agency on behalf of DAERA. The Scheme was open to Northern Ireland farmers who:
- had cows’ milk production of up to one million litres during the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016, and
- are still in cows’ milk production.
£1.607 million has been allocated to this Scheme. This means farmers will receive an average of around £750. Payments will be made to all eligible applicants before the end of September 2017.
Payment will be on a pence per litre basis, capped at 500,000 litres of supply.
The proposed Business Planning and Risk Management Training will now be delivered under the FBIS - Farm Family Key Skills programme, with funding from the NI Rural Development Programme 2014-20.