Agricultural & Environmental Schemes

The Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs offers several payments to farm businesses based on the land that they farm, or actions they take on their land. These payments are called Agricultural & Environmental Schemes and have replaced ‘Area-based Schemes’.

Farming with Nature Transition Scheme (FwNT) and Farming with Nature Higher Scheme (FwNTH) are now opened until 31 July

For further Information on both schemes above go to Farming with Nature Package

Single Application is now closed.

The Entitlements Transfer Service is now closed.

NEW ONLINE AGENT NOMINATION: A new online process is now in place for Agent Nomination. For further information go to Online Agent Nomination

Agricultural & Environmental Schemes Details

Useful information, Guides, How to Videos, Q&As and Forms related to DAERA’s Agricultural & Environmental Schemes.

Entitlements & Transfers

Payment Information and Guides and Forms on obtaining, transferring and confiscation of Entitlements. Entitlements form the basis of the Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP) and are what farm businesses use to get paid FSP each year.

Farm Sustainability Standards

Farm Sustainability Standards are the standard practices expected to be met by farm businesses in return for subsidy support.The Standards promote good farm management practices and encourage responsible stewardship.

These standards came into effect on 1st January 2026.

How to Videos Library

Here you will find the links to the How To videos within the Agricultural & Environmental Schemes pages.

Farm Business Management

Information and Guidance for New Farm Businesses, Business Changes for current Farm businesses and Agents and Review of Decisions will be available soon.

Registering for GG or NIDA and Online services

Details you need to know about registering for services such as Government Gateway, Online Services, Customer Portal,Agent Nomination Form will be available soon.

DAERA Messaging Service

Agricultural and Environmental Schemes are moving fully digital for communications through DAERA Messaging. For further information and 'how to video' visit the link above.

Agricultural & Environmental Scheme Details

Here you will find useful information, Guides, Q&As and Forms for Agricultural & Environmental Schemes that are currently available from DAERA. They are listed below;

Entitlements and Transfers

On this page, you will find the comprehensive Guide to the Transfer of Payment Entitlements, which contains all the essential information you need. We encourage all customers to review this guide carefully to ensure you are fully informed. In addition, you can access the most up-to-date forms related to Entitlements and the Transfer of Entitlements on this page.

This page is regularly updated as new information becomes available, so please check back periodically for the latest updates.

How to Videos Library

Here you will find the links to the How To videos within the Agricultural & Environmental Schemes pages.

Online Agent Nomination

New Online Agent Nomination Service

The new Online Agent Nomination Service is a secure and efficient online service for nominating an agent to act on behalf of your organisation.

Farm Sustainability Standards (FSS)

Farm Sustainability Standards are the standard practices expected to be met by farm businesses in return for subsidy support.

The Standards promote good farm management practices and encourage responsible stewardship.

These standards came into effect on 1st January 2026.

Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme

The Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) Scheme is a new payment scheme for beef farmers in Northern Ireland

Farming with Nature Transition Scheme

The Farming with Nature Transition Scheme aims to increase the extent of habitats on farmed land across Northern Ireland. The actions available will create new habitats, provide new green infrastructure, protect watercourses and contribute to carbon sequestration on farms.

Suckler Cow Scheme

The Suckler Cow (SC) Scheme is a new payment scheme for suckler cow farmers in Northern Ireland.

Farm Business Management

Here you will find the information and forms you will need whether you are a New Farm Business, reporting a Business Change or wanting to know anything about Review of Decisions.

Registering for GG or NIDA and Online services

Here you will find the links to online services.

Farming with Nature Package

The Farming with Nature Package aims to support farm businesses across all land types, to make substantial contributions to environmental improvements and sustainability.

Beef Sustainability Package

The Beef Sustainability Package aims to help ensure the future viability of the beef sector. It comprises two measures; a Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme and a Suckler Cow Scheme which together seek to improve productivity and reduce emissions from older non-breeding animals.

Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS)

The Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) offers participants a 5-year agreement to deliver a range of environmental measures and has three levels:

FwNT Claim Submission How To Videos

These new How To Videos below show you easy to follow step by step visuals.

What to do if you are not happy with our decision on FwNT

The information on this page relates to Year 1 of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme.

Am I eligible for the FwNT Scheme?

The FwNT Scheme is an annual Scheme with an annual cap. Farm businesses, who meet the eligibility and scheme requirements will be able to apply again in 2026.

SC Scheme How To Videos

These new How To Videos below show you an easy to follow step by step visuals.

What to Do if You Are Not Happy with Our Decisions?

If you have a query regarding any decision we have taken about your BCR eligibility or payment, you should contact us on 0300 200 7848 and discuss this with us.

Am I eligible for SC Scheme

Am I eligible for the Suckler Cow Scheme?

How do I opt in for the SC Scheme?

To participate in the Scheme, you must be a registered online user to opt in online. Alternatively, an agent or authorised person can do this on your behalf.

Checks that we will carry out if you opt in for the SC Scheme

We will undertake a number of checks on your business if you opt in to the Scheme, using information that we hold.

SC Scheme Payments

Suckler Cow Scheme Payments

What is the Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) Scheme

Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) Scheme is a payment scheme for beef farmers in Northern Ireland.

Am I Eligible for BCR?

To be eligible for BCR payments you must:

Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme Retention Period Examples

To be eligible for BCR payments you must satisfy the eligibility requirements.

How Do I Opt-in for BCR?

You must opt-in for BCR online

Checks That We Will Carry Out If You Opt-in For BCR

We will undertake a number of checks on your business if you opt-in for BCR.

What is Farming with Nature Transition Scheme (FwNT)

The Farming with Nature Package is the replacement for the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) and aims to support Northern Ireland farmers and land managers across all land types to make substantial contributions to environmental improvements and sustainability. The Package hopes to reverse the trends in nature decline through retaining, maintaining, restoring and creating habitats that are important for species diversity and improved connectivity between habitat areas.

BCR Payments

If you have opted-in to BCR and have an eligible business and kept eligible animals that were slaughtered in the relevant scheme year, we will issue a BCR payment to you from March of the following year.

Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme - Terms and Conditions

The information below is the Terms & Conditions that have been set out for the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme

FwNT Scheme Checks and Inspections

The information on this page relates to Year 1 of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme.

What is the Suckler Cow (SC) Scheme?

What is the Suckler Cow Scheme? The following guidance contains information on the Suckler Cow (SC) Scheme.

FwNT Scheme Payments

The information on this page relates to Year 1 of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme.

FwNT Scheme Conditions

The information on this page relates to Year 1 of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme.

Eligible Beef breeds

Table 1 below lists the payment eligiblity status of breeds registered on NIFAIS for the Suckler Cow Scheme.

FwNT Contact Details

If you have a specific query you can contact us using the email addresses or telephone number below. If you have a farm business ID please quote it on all correspondence or have it to hand before you call.

Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP)

As part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP), the Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP) will replace the Farm Sustainability Transition Payment (FSTP) for 2026. FSP opened for applications from 2 March 2026 until 9 June 2026, with late penalties applied for applications received between 16 May - 9 June 2026.

What to do if you are not happy with our decision

Below are the actions you can take if you are not happy with our decision.

SC Scheme Terms and Conditions

Terms & Conditions of Suckler Cow Scheme

Online Agent Nomination Process How To Videos

Here you will find the Online Agent Nomination process for Customer and Agents

Registering for Government Gateway (GG) and NIDA Accounts

All you need to know about registering for online services.

Single Application and Maps How To Videos

These new up to date How To videos below show you how to navigate the Map Viewer and how to make changes to your Single Application in easy to follow step by step visuals.

Farming with Nature Transition Scheme Year 2

The FwNT Scheme forms part of the wider Farming with Nature Package within Northern Ireland’s Sustainable Agriculture Programme and replaces the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS). It is designed to support farmers and land managers across all land types to deliver meaningful environmental improvements while building more sustainable farming systems. The Package aims to reverse nature decline through retaining, maintaining, restoring and creating habitats that are important for species diversity and improved connectivity between habitat areas.

Review of Decisions

What is a review of decision? Details below explain how you apply for a Review of Decision and includes the Guide relating to a Review of Decision.

DAERA Messaging Service

Agricultural and Environmental Schemes are moving fully digital for communications through DAERA Messaging.

DAERA messaging is a two-way solution for communicating scheme transactions to include acknowledgements, payment letters and providing supporting documentation securely between DAERA and Customers.

Farming with Nature Higher Scheme

The Farming with Nature Higher (FwNH) Scheme is an invite only Scheme, DAERA have written to all eligible farmer businesses to invite them to apply for the scheme.

This guidance provides information on the Farming with Nature Higher Scheme (FwNH). Anyone intending to apply must also read and understand the scheme’s full Terms and Conditions and the individual Information Sheet for each Remedial Management Option (RMO).

Terms and Conditions of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme - Year 2

By using this service, you are confirming the following points.

What is the Farming with Nature Transition (FwNT) Scheme - Year 2?

The Farming with Nature Transition (FwNT) Scheme forms part of the wider Farming with Nature Package within Northern Ireland’s Sustainable Agriculture Programme and replaces the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS). It is designed to support farmers and land managers across all land types to deliver meaningful environmental improvements while building more sustainable farming systems. The Package aims to reverse nature decline through retaining, maintaining, restoring and creating habitats that are important for species diversity and improved connectivity between habitat areas.

Am I Eligible for FwNT Scheme - Year 2?

To be eligible for FwNT you must:

How do I Apply for the FwNT Scheme - Year 2?

Applications are made on-line through DAERA Online services during the application window which opens on Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 9am and will close on Friday 31 July at 5pm. Late applications will not be accepted.

How do I carry out FwNT Scheme Actions - Year 2?

To carry out the actions under the Farming with Nature Transition (FwNT) Scheme Year 2, farmers need to follow specific guidelines and best practices to ensure effective implementation. By following these guidelines, farmers can effectively implement the FwNT scheme actions and contribute to environmental sustainability on their farms. The links below provide further information alongside Guidance Notes and Videos for each of the actions and supporting items.

FwNT Scheme Checks and Inspections - Year 2

We will undertake a number of checks on your business if you apply to FwNT, using information that we hold. We will check:

1. The eligibility of land associated with your farm business, as well as the eligibility of any further land you may add.

2. That you have provided us with valid bank account details for the purposes of making a payment to your business; and

3. That we have not been informed of a reason why a payment cannot be made to your business.

This is not an exhaustive list of the checks we will undertake.

FwNT Scheme Payments - Year 2

Payments for FwNT Year 2 will issue in summer 2027.

FwNT Scheme Conditions - Year 2

There is no minimum area requirement to participate in the FwNT Scheme - Year 2

FwNT Scheme Contact Details - Year 2

What to do if you are not happy with our Decisions on FWNT - Year 2?

If you have a query regarding any decision we have taken about your scheme eligibility or payment, you should contact us on 0300 200 7848 and discuss this with us.

FwNT Scheme Retention Periods – Year 2

Some actions include a retention period, beginning from the year of establishment, e.g. a Riparian Buffer Strip established and claimed for in February 2027 must be retained for a period of at least 15 years beginning 28 February 2027.

Retention period means the length of time for which eligible actions completed by an eligible farm business must be managed and retained. You must have management control of the land for the duration of relevant retention period.

What is the Farming with Nature Higher Scheme?

This guidance provides information on the Farming with Nature Higher Scheme (FwNH). Anyone intending to apply must also read and understand the scheme’s full Terms and Conditions and the individual Information Sheet for each Remedial Management Option (RMO)

Am I Eligible for the FwNH Scheme?

This information explains eligibility criteria for Farming with Nature Higher Scheme (FwNH).

FwNH Scheme Conditions

Farm businesses must read, understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions prior to submitting an application.

How do I Apply for the FwNH Scheme?

Applications are made on-line through DAERA On-line services during the application window which opens on Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 9am and closes on Friday 31 July 2026 at 5pm. Late applications will not be accepted.

FwNH Scheme Payment

Payments for FwNH will issue in summer 2027.

FwNH Checks and Inspections

We will undertake a number of checks following your application to FwNH, using information that we hold.

What to do if you are not happy with our decisions on FwNH?

If you have a query regarding any decision we have taken about your Scheme eligibility or payment, you should contact us on 0300 200 7848 and discuss this with us.

FwNH Contact Details

Remedial Management Options Information Sheets

Information sheets on each of the options setting out the Aims, description, outcome, requirements and Controls.

FwNT Scheme Claim Submission - Year 2

The claim window will open in February 2027. Late claims will not be accepted.

Only farm businesses who have received an approval notification should submit a claim for completed actions and associated supporting items. If no work has been completed, a claim should not be submitted.

FwNT Scheme Changes for Year 2

Changes for Year 2

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Agricultural & Environmental Schemes

NEW ONLINE AGENT NOMINATION: A new online process is now in place for Agent Nomination. For further information go to Online Agent Nomination

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