What is the Farming with Nature Higher Scheme?

Anyone intending to apply must also read and understand the scheme’s full Terms and Conditions and the individual Information Sheets for each Remedial Management Option (RMO).

The FwNH Scheme forms part of the wider Farming with Nature Package within the Sustainable Agricultural Programme (SAP). The FwN Package aims to contribute to improving biodiversity by increasing the extent, quality and connectivity of habitats on agricultural land.  The scheme has been introduced as an interim measure to ensure that land under Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) Tranches 4 & 5 agreements continue to be manged positively, maintaining environmental benefits gained during the period of the EFS agreement and preventing the decline of habitat condition. 

Eligible farm businesses applying to the FwNH Scheme 2027 will continue to receive payments for managing their land in line with the site-specific management recommendations set out in their EFS T 5 Higher Agreement and/or FwNH 2026 Agreement. No new land can be added. There will not be an opportunity for farm businesses to apply for Non-productive Investments (NPIs) on their higher land during this scheme. 

Further strands of the FwN Package are planned to offer expanded support for environmental actions on agricultural land within designated sites and other priority areas. More information will follow in due course.

Online Applications to the FwNH Scheme 2027 closed on Friday 30 October 2026 at 5pm. Late applications will not be accepted.

Only businesses with an EFS Tranche 5 agreement that ends on the 31 December 2026 and those with a current FwNH 2026 agreement (running from 01 September 2026 to 31 December 2026) were eligible to apply.

Agreements will run from 01 January 2027 to 31 December 2027.

Farm businesses will be required to reapply for the scheme on an annual basis.

Policy Context

The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union has provided Northern Ireland with a unique opportunity to redefine its agricultural policy for the first time in almost 50 years, with the aim of developing a framework that is better suited to local needs and one that will underpin long term sustainability within the agri-food industry.

The FwN Package forms part of the programme of change being progressed through the DAERA Sustainable Agriculture Programme.  It aims to contribute to the delivery of many of DAERA’s strategic environmental outcomes by supporting farmers and land managers to make substantial contributions to environmental improvements and sustainability.

Following public consultation on proposals for future agricultural policy, the Future Agricultural Policy Decisions for Northern Ireland was published in March 2022. A copy of these decisions can be found at Future Agricultural Policy Decisions for Northern Ireland | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk)