Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
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Our responsibilities
Angling and Commercial Fishing (Inland Fisheries)
Inland Fisheries is responsible for developing angling and commercial fishing policy in relation to the conservation, protection, development, and improvement of Salmon and Inland Fisheries in Northern Ireland.
… moreAnimal Health, Welfare and Trade
Information about diseases, disease control and prevention, welfare of farmed and non-farmed animals, trade, importing and exporting animals and authorisation of PVPs for these official activities.
… moreBiodiversity
Protecting and preserving Northern Ireland's wildlife and habitats from invasive alien species and other environmental threats.
… moreCountryside Management and Managing your Business
Information on agri-environment schemes, water quality, renewable energy and employing people on your farm.
… moreCrops and Horticulture
Information on areas of crop growing and horticulture including combinable crops, potatoes, fruits and vegetables, seeds and nursery stock.
… moreEducation and Research
Education and training courses for the land-based and food industries and development programmes.
… moreEnvironmental Advice for Planning
DAERA has a role in development management and responds to development proposals where there is potential for impacts on the natural and marine environments and fisheries interests.
… moreMoving Animals and Goods to Northern Ireland
If you or your business move live animals and certain products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland there are certain requirements you need to adhere to. This page has been designed to help you understand those requirements and assist you and your business in taking the necessary steps when moving animals or goods.
… moreFisheries
Sea fisheries, inland fisheries, aquaculture and fish health policy in Northern Ireland.
… moreForestry
Forestry education, forest industry, forestry and the environment, forest planning.Contact the NI Forest ServiceInformation on plant and tree healthUK Forestry Standard
… moreGrants and Funding
There is a wide range of grant and subsidy schemes to support local farming, fisheries, rural businesses and communities.
… moreLand and Landscapes
Information on land quality and soil as well as details on the geology of Northern Ireland's distinctive and precious landscapes.
… moreLivestock Farming
Information on key areas of livestock farming including dairy, beef, sheep, pigs, poultry and grass.
… moreLocal Authority Official Certification
Information for Food Competent Certifying Officers regarding official certification of fish, fish products, composite products (containing egg and or fish) and egg products.
… moreMarine
Protecting Northern Ireland's coastal and marine environment via legislation, licensing and permits and conservation activities
… moreNorthern Ireland Food Animal Information System (NIFAIS)
NIFAIS the Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System, will be a new flexible and innovative IT system that supports efficient and effective delivery of current and future food animal information services.
… morePlant and Tree Health
Pests and diseases, pesticides, plant passporting, imports and exports, surveys and compliance.
… morePollution
Activities undertaken to prevent, monitor and control pollution of the air, land and waterDAERA and NIEA are issuing specific Covid-19 Regulatory Position Statements in relation to our regulated activities, they can be accessed from the following link;https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/landing-pages/daeras-and-nieas-regulatory-response-covid-19
… moreProtect the Environment
Actions taken to raise awareness and counteract threats to the environment on both a local and global scale
… moreRural Development
Management and implementation of the Rural Development Programme and the Rural White Paper Action Plan
… moreRural Needs
This section contains advice, guidance, information and other resources for public authorities in relation to their duties under the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
… moreStatistics
A catalogue of all our data products, identifying those that have been designated as ‘National Statistics’, can be found on the GOV.UK Release Calendar. A full list of our published statistics are available in the publications section. For up-to-date reports, bulletins and other information, you can follow the DAERAStats X account.
… moreResource & Waste Policy
DAERA and NIEA have responsibility in NI for making sure waste and resources are managed in a sustainable and safe way. This page is intended to be a “one stop shop” for any queries you have on waste policy (including legislation and regulation).
… moreWater
Protecting the aquatic environment by regulating water quality and hydrological processes whilst considering the needs of industry, agriculture and the protection of public health.
… moreWindsor Framework Implementation
The Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024 came into force on 12 April 2024. The Regulations confer powers upon the Secretary of State in relation to Articles 5-7 and Annex 2 of the Windsor Framework, however, the UK Government has committed to exercising these powers only to the extent necessary to support the operation of the Windsor Framework, including relevant commitments of the Safeguarding the Union command paper.
… moreOur documents
Consultations
Publications
Access to information
How to request information from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs including Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and the use of our Publication Scheme.
The Minister
Management and structure
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has responsibility for food, farming, environmental, fisheries, forestry and sustainability policy and the development of the rural sector in Northern Ireland. ... more
Contact us
Jubilee House
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural AffairsJubilee House
111 Ballykelly Road
Ballykelly
Limavady
BT49 9HP
Clare House
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural AffairsClare House
303 Airport Road West
Belfast BT3 9ED
Lisburn
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs17 Antrim Road
Tonagh
Lisburn
BT28 3AL
Customer Service
You can telephone our offices between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. The opening times of our public offices are displayed on the DAERA Direct Regional offices page. Our offices are closed on most bank holidays and public holidays. Different opening hours apply to our public facilities such as forest and country parks, and information is available locally and on our website. Please note that it is not possible to see members of the public at DAERA Headquarters in Clare House/Jubilee House/Lisburn without a pre-arranged appointment.
Seeing Callers
Officials will make every effort to meet with you at your nearest public office.
If you have a pre-arranged appointment, we aim to see you within 10 minutes of the agreed time. If we have to cancel an appointment, we will explain why, give you as much notice as possible and arrange a new time to suit you.
If you have not made an appointment with us, we aim to see you within 15 minutes of your arrival. If you are waiting longer, we will explain why and keep you informed. A queuing system may be introduced in our public offices at busy periods.