The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland (DAERA) is “asleep at the wheel” in terms of delivering on support for young farmers, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP has said.
Lockhart noted that the Farming for the Generations pilot scheme is “due to end in a matter of weeks”, while the Young Farmers’ Payment and Regional Reserve initiatives are also set to finish.
The Upper Bann MP said: “DAERA is ‘asleep at the wheel’ and has failed to deliver a dedicated support package for young farmers.
“There is nothing on the horizon, and it could be 2027 at the earliest before Minister Muir’s department introduces a replacement scheme.”
Lockhart said this comes at a time when “succession planning is very much to the forefront within family farms across the province”, and referenced the UK’s new inheritance tax legislation, which will become law on April 1, 2026.
“Succession planning has never been more important,” Lockhart said.
“The Farming for the Generations pilot scheme, introduced in October 2024, is part of DAERA’s transformational new Farm Support and Development Programme.
“It was designed to raise awareness of the need for succession planning on farms.
“With the government’s changes to historic Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), it is crucial for farmers to plan ahead to ensure the long-term sustainability of farm businesses.”
Farming for the Generations scheme
Lockhart said the Farming for the Generations scheme “supports families through the various stages of planning for succession”.
She added: “The scheme also encourages farmers who have no heir or successor, to consider partnering with new entrants and other businesses.
“This is an excellent way of encouraging the next generation, and providing access to land and other resources, which would normally be out of financial reach for new entrants.
“I also support the call for DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir MLA, to urgently extend the Young Farmers’ Payment and Regional Reserve schemes into 2026 as an interim measure.”
Lockhart described this approach as “a practical solution that would provide stability while a new Farming for the Generations scheme is designed and implemented”.
“If the Stormont Executive is serious about supporting young people into agriculture, this is a feasible way forward,” she said.
“I wholeheartedly support the objective of generational renewal, but we must ensure that any future scheme reflects the realities of how family farms operate.”
Lockhart described succession as “a process, not a single legal transaction”.
She added: “Many farms involve multiple generations working side by side, even where ownership has not formally transferred for legitimate reasons.
“Policy must support these real-life structures rather than forcing families into artificial arrangements simply to qualify for assistance.
“Farm profitability and business confidence are the foundations of successful generational renewal.”
“Without practical, timely and well-designed support, young people will not be encouraged to build their futures in agriculture,” the MP said.
