The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is warning farmers in the zone two area, Fermanagh, in the west of county Armagh and South Tyrone, that they are at risk of losing future farm payments if they don’t sign up to the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme before the deadline on 31 August.
Commenting, UFU president David Brown said, “Recent data released by DAERA shows that over 60% of farmers in the zone two area for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme have not yet applied. This figure is extremely worrying. If farmers fail to apply to the scheme before the deadline, they could lose future farm payments. DAERA have made it clear that being part of the scheme will be a requirement for future agriculture support payments and have assured farmers that it will not use information from the scheme for regulation purposes.
“Farm payments are critical to sustaining family farms across Northern Ireland (NI) and I do not want any of our members to lose this essential support because they missed the deadline for the soil scheme. If farmers in zone two do not apply, it will also put them a step behind those who do. This new scheme will have massive benefits for farm businesses as well as delivering for the environment. NI is the first region to establish an extensive baseline of all farms on soil nutrients, below and above ground carbon stocks. Farmers do not want to get left behind on this. The scheme will be critical as we progress towards climate change targets adopting a science led, evidence-based approach and will also help to improve water quality.
“I urge all farmers to make it a priority to begin their application today for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme. Especially as some may need to reach out to their local DAERA office about their application which will require extra time.”
