DAERA warns farmers to avoid EFS penalties

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has reminded farmers to avoid potential penalties on their Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) payments by ensuring their claims are accurate.

Farmers must make sure the amounts they have claimed on their 2021 Single Application accurately reflects the amount of work they have actually completed. 

If you joined EFS in 2021 you have until the end of the year to complete the work in your agreement.

If you are not going to complete all the work you have claimed for reduce your claim by sending us an EFS SAF3 Amendment Form, available from the DAERA website, as soon as possible as EFS inspections are already underway.

Remember that if an inspection finds that the work claimed for has not been completed or is not up to the standard described in the EFS Information Sheets then monies paid will be recovered.

Compulsory Training

If you joined the scheme in 2021 you must complete your online training by 31 December 2021. 

If training isn’t completed your EFS agreement may be cancelled and you will receive no payment for the work you may have done. 

Please go online and complete the short training modules or, if you need assistance to do this, contact 0300 200 7848 as soon as possible.

Notes to editors: 

1. For queries on EFS Agreements, please contact the DAERA Helpline number 0300 200 7848, or email your query to efs@daera-ni.gov.uk.
2. Download the EFS SAF3 Amendment Form at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/environmental-farming-scheme-saf3-form-2020.
3. Complete the training at https://learn.cafre.ac.uk/login/index.php.
4. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
5. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk.

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