What is the Farming with Nature Higher Scheme?

Background

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) Tranche 4 agreements continues 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 will continue to receive payments for managing their land in line with the site-specific management recommendations set out in their expired EFS T4 Higher 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.

Applications to the FwNH Scheme must be completed online via DAERA Online Services. Only businesses with an expired EFS Tranche 4 agreement that ended on the 31 December 2025 will be eligible to apply. The application window will open on Tuesday 30 June 2026 and will close on Friday 31 July 2026 at 5pm. Late applications will not be accepted.

Agreements will run from 01 September 2026 to 31 December 2026.

It is important to note that if a Tranche 4 EFS Higher Agreement holder does not join the scheme during this application window, 30 June – 31 July 2026, they will lose the opportunity to participate in the FwN Higher Scheme in the future.

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

Introduction and Overview of the Farming with Nature Higher Scheme Video

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