Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister in Northern Ireland, Andrew Muir has announced the new Farming with Nature Transition Scheme is open for applications.
The scheme forms part of the Farming with Nature package within the Sustainable Agriculture Programme and aims to support biodiversity on farms by funding a range of environmental actions.
Minister Muir said: “I’m delighted to announce the opening of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme.
“It will assist farm businesses to implement actions that will deliver additional habitats, protect watercourses, provide green infrastructure for nature corridors, and increase carbon sequestration.
“Protecting and restoring our natural environment is one of my key priorities and Farming with Nature is a flagship package within the Sustainable Agriculture Programme that will support the scaling up of nature-friendly farming delivering environmental public goods, alongside food production,” the minister added.
Farming with Nature Transition Scheme
To be eligible, farm businesses must have a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Category 1 or 2 Business Identification Number and not currently have a live Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) agreement.
Farm businesses can receive up to £9,500 in 2025/2026 to undertake a range of environmental actions: Planting new hedges and farmland trees; establishing riparian buffers; multi-species winter cover crop; and retaining winter stubble.
Items to support the implementation these environmental actions are also available.
Applications must be submitted by 5:00p.m on Monday, August 4, 2025. Applications can be made via an online application, which can be accessed through DAERA Online Services.
If farm businesses require further help or guidance with an application, they should call DAERA’s Advisory Service helpline on 0300 200 7848.
Further detail
A forum for key stakeholders from the agriculture industry and environmental sector was formed in June 2024 to provide input into the development of the Farming with Nature package.
The overall aim of the programme is to transition to a more sustainable farming sector by seeking to implement policies and strategies that benefit the climate and environment while supporting the economically and socially significant agri-food sector.
The main source of funding for the SAP is the NI Executive earmarked Agriculture Budget (£329.4 million for 2025/2026).
The Farming with Nature Transition Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 provide the legislative cover for the Scheme and came into effect on June 19, 2025.
The main source of funding for the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme will be from DAERA Capital funds.
Applicants to the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme will receive confirmation from DAERA that their application is complete via DAERA messaging.
Farmers can nominate an agent or trusted person to complete the application on their behalf. Forms to nominate an authorised person can be downloaded from the DAERA website.
For nominated persons that have Single Application permissions, Farming with Nature permissions will also be given.
