Farming with Nature Transition Scheme payment claim window opens 2 March
Date published:
DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir is urging applicants to the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme to act promptly, with claims for completed actions to be submitted by 31 March.
“Protecting and restoring our natural environment is one of my key priorities, and the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme is supporting farmers to take meaningful action for nature,” Minister Muir said.
“I encourage all eligible participants to complete their claim within the 2–31 March 2026 window. Timely claims help deliver payments and provide greater confidence for farm businesses while ensuring farmers are properly rewarded for the work they have carried out.”
Launched last year by Minister Muir, the scheme, which is part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, aims to increase the extent of habitats on farmed land across Northern Ireland. The available actions will create new habitats, provide new green infrastructure, protect watercourses and contribute to carbon sequestration on farms.
If adverse weather conditions or other circumstances prevent the full completion of actions, farm businesses should only claim for work completed by 31st March. They are invited to apply again for FwNT when it reopens for applications in 2026 to undertake further actions, which may include actions they did not complete in the first year.
Claims for payment must be submitted online.
Claims should be submitted between 2 March, and no later than 5pm on 31 March 2026. Scheme participants are required to retain invoices, for example, for seed purchased. Invoices dated prior to the date of acceptance into the scheme would render the action ineligible for payment.
Information and guidance on submitting claims, how to carry out actions and scheme conditions can be found on the DAERA website at: Farming with Nature Transition Scheme
Further support is available by emailing FarmingwithNature@daera-ni.gov.uk or by calling 0300 200 7848 from 9am – 5pm (Monday to Friday).
Notes to editors:
- If a farm business uses a nominated person or agent on their behalf, they should contact them now to discuss their claim.
- Further information on DAERA’s Sustainable Agriculture Programme
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- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.