Sustainable Agriculture Programme: Working with Stakeholders
Published in 2021, the Future Agricultural Policy Framework Portfolio charts the way forward to a Future Agricultural Policy that better meets the needs of Northern Ireland. It takes into account views from key stakeholders from across food, farming and the environment from an engagement exercise in 2018.
A public consultation exercise on the associated Future Agricultural Policy Proposals opened for a period of 8 weeks on 21 December 2021 closing on 15 February 2022. Officials completed analysis of the 339 consultation responses and developed recommendations. Further to this, 54 policy decisions were announced in March 2022.
Work has continued at pace under the direction of Minister Muir to develop and implement the new programme of farm support. Minister Muir delivered an Oral Statement on the Farm Support and Development Programme to the NI Assembly on 14 May 2024 outlining his vision for the Programme (Minister’Muir's Oral Statement on 14 May 2024). In January 2025, in line with his priorities, he re-named the Programme to the Sustainable Agriculture Programme to clearly relay its importance in supporting change for a sustainable future (Update on DAERA's New Programme of Farm Support - 29 January 2025). Partnership working and effective communication continue to be integral to the continued development and implementation of the SAP.
Click on the documents below for more details;
Northern Ireland Future Agricultural Policy Framework – Stakeholder Engagement
Future Agricultural Policy Framework Portfolio
Consultation on Future Agricultural Policy Proposals for Northern Ireland
Summary of Responses: Consultation on Future Agricultural Policy Proposals for Northern Ireland
Future Agricultural Policy Decisions for Northern Ireland
The Agricultural Policy Stakeholder Group (APSG) brings together representatives across food, farming and the environment. APSG meetings have been held regularly since its inception in June 2021 and engagement with the group is ongoing on a regular basis. It provides a forum for dialogue between DAERA and key stakeholders at each key stage of the development process. This co-design approach is focused on delivering the four key desired outcomes of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme.
In addition, the Carbon Farming Partnership Group and the Farming with Nature Working Group have been established to ensure that stakeholder views are understood and properly considered during the development and delivery of the DAERA Carbon Footprinting Project and the Farming with Nature Package respectively.