Thomas Lyons Over £8.96 million in payments have been issued to Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) agreement holders in Northern Ireland, according to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). As of Monday, April 17, over 90% of claims made in 2022 were paid out, with the remaining claims set to be processed and paid out as soon as possible following validations. The EFS is a five-year agreement that supports farmers and land managers to carry out a range of environmental measures. EFS claims must be made on the annual Single Application during each of the five years of the agreement.
Participants in the EFS must confirm the work that has been completed as part of the agreement at the end of the first year of participation. Additionally, EFS participants must submit a claim each year on their Single Application, with the claims window for EFS 2023 opening on April 6. However, some agreements are being updated to reflect changes that agreement holders have told the department about or after inspections. DAERA has stated that all EFS agreement holders will be able to claim by April 28.
Online training for EFS agreement holders whose agreements started on January 1 is now available and is compulsory. This training must be completed by November 30, 2023. The department is also reminding those submitting a year 1 claim that a compulsory Claim Confirmation will be required in December this year.
The EFS is a vital scheme that supports farmers and land managers to carry out a range of environmental measures. The scheme is designed to improve the environment and wildlife habitats, and to promote biodiversity. The EFS is a voluntary scheme, and participants receive payments for carrying out environmental work on their land. The scheme is open to all farmers and land managers in Northern Ireland, and participants can choose from a range of environmental measures to carry out on their land.
The scheme has been praised for its positive impact on the environment and wildlife habitats in Northern Ireland. It has also been credited with helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable farming practices. The EFS is one of several schemes that the government has introduced to support farmers and land managers in Northern Ireland. These schemes are designed to help farmers and land managers to improve their businesses and to promote sustainable farming practices.
The payments issued to EFS agreement holders will provide much-needed support to farmers and land managers in Northern Ireland. The scheme is an important part of the government’s efforts to promote sustainable farming practices and to protect the environment. The government has pledged to continue to support farmers and land managers in Northern Ireland, and to ensure that they have the resources they need to carry out their work.
