Sustainable Agriculture Programme

A New Programme of Farm Support

The Sustainable Agriculture Programme is being co-designed with the Northern Ireland agricultural industry and other key stakeholders. The overall aim is to transition to a more sustainable farming sector by seeking to implement policies and strategies that benefit our climate and environment while, supporting our economically and socially significant agri-food sector. Through striving to achieve its four outcomes of improved environmental sustainability, enhanced productivity, stronger resilience and an effective functioning supply chain, this Programme will have a role in the delivery of the Minister’s key priorities. Importantly the schemes, measures and actions being introduced will be essential levers in contributing to statutory obligations under the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022 and achieving a genuinely Just Transition. Delivery of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme will be essential in addressing ammonia and phosphorus related issues and incentivising and enabling actions to ensure environmental sustainability in Northern Ireland by contributing to water and air quality, soil health and biodiversity. The Programme will also secure sustainable productivity within Northern Ireland agriculture and assist with the development of effective functioning supply chains ensuring food security and high standards of disease control, public and animal health.

The Programme is being introduced in a phased manner over the coming months and years with a firm focus on genuine just transition and will provide options for all farm businesses in Northern Ireland.

You can download the Sustainable Agriculture Programme Overview Timeline from this page or see a graphic showing the timeline below:

Information current at the time of posting and may be subject to change as policy develops. Please continue to check back regularly for updates.

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Sustainable Agriculture Programme: Vision

The vision for Sustainable Agriculture Programme in Northern Ireland is defined around four key outcomes:

SAP New Schemes and Measures: Support Programmes

SAP Support Programmes will provide information and knowledge that will be essential in supporting changes to on-farm management practices to address the changes required now and in the future.

SAP New Schemes and Measures: Data Platforms

The SAP data platforms will provide information to help you to drive productivity, resilience, animal health and welfare, contribute to environmental goals and identify opportunities to reduce carbon emissions.

SAP New Schemes and Measures: Payment Schemes

Payment Schemes will provide you with the support necessary to transition to more sustainable farming practices.

Sustainable Agriculture Programme: Working with Stakeholders

A co-design approach is a key tool being employed by DAERA to ensure achievement of the objectives of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, meeting industry needs, ensuring buy-in, scale of uptake and scheme success.

Sustainable Agriculture Programme: Impact Assessments

Impact Assessments

EFS Claim Confirmation and Management

The information below details for Claim management and Claim confirmation for Environmental Farming Scheme

Entitlements and Transfers

Guide to the Transfer of Payment Entitlements is below and contains all the relevant information that you should read carefully. You also have access to all the most up to date forms relating to Entitlements & Transfer of Entitlements.

This page will be updated in due course as more information becomes available.

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.

How to Videos Library

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

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 will open for applications from 2 March 2026 until 9 June 2026, with late penalties applied for applications received between 16 May - 9 June 2026.

Online Agent Nomination Process How To Videos

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

How do I apply for the FwNT Scheme?

Application for the 2025 Farming with Nature Transition Scheme has now closed. If you have any queries about your application, you can contact our Advisory team on 0300 200 7848 from 9am – 5pm (Monday to Friday) or email FarmingwithNature@daera-ni.gov.uk

Applications could be made online through DAERA Online services during the application window which opened on Monday 23 June 2025 and closed on Monday 4 August at 5pm.

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.

Suckler Cow Scheme

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

Am I eligible for SC Scheme

Am I eligible for the Suckler Cow 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.

Eligible Beef breeds

Table 1 below lists the payment eligiblity status of breeds registered on NIFAIS 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.

SC Scheme How To Videos

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

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 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Applications for 2025 Farming with Nature Transition Scheme closed on Monday 4th August 2025 at 5pm.

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.

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.

To be eligible for FwNT you must:

How Do I Carry Out the FwNT Scheme Actions?

To carry out the actions under the Farming with Nature Transition (FwNT) Scheme, 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

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

FwNT Scheme Payments

The claim window for work completed will open on 2 March 2026, and close on 31 March 2026.

FwNT Scheme Conditions

There is no minimum area requirement to participate in FwNT, however your application must be over a minimum value of £2500.

There is also a maximum application value of £9500.

You must agree to the terms and conditions, as part of the declaration contained in the link below.

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Sustainable Agriculture Programme

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