Back to news
Environmental organisations urge government to be more ambitious with support for farmers in transition to practices better for nature, people and climate
Ahead of Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland’s environmental organisations highlight the urgent need for bolder government investment in agri-environment programmes to help farmers manage their land in ways that value nature and biodiversity, build future farm resilience and improve the quality of soil, air, water and food for all
Image (Right) via Cormac Dolan, NFFN Director
Image (Below) via Jill Montgomery, NIEL
The members of the Sustainable Agriculture Policy Working Group, including Ulster Wildlife, farmer-led Nature Friendly Farming Network, Woodland Trust, RSPB NI and National Trust, have decades of experience working with over 3,000 farmers across Northern Ireland through the Environmental Farming Scheme, and previously the Countryside Management Scheme. Whilst they welcome DAERA’s plans for a new Farming with Nature package, they have spoken out about their concerns that the resources allocated and the suite of land management options are far from ambitious enough to make a meaningful impact for the environment, the farmer or the wider public. The 2023 State of Nature1 report shows the area of Northern Ireland land in agri-environment schemes as 4.8%, compared with over 20% in England, Scotland and Wales.
In 2020, Northern Ireland ranked 12th worst for biodiversity loss out of 240 countries surveyed and there are now many new sources of evidence that paint a picture of severe decline in important species and habitats. The UK Government’s own 2021 Food Security Report2 identified biodiversity loss as one of the greatest threats to food security, so given that over 75% of Northern Ireland’s land is managed for agriculture, this deterioration in our landscape has far-reaching consequences for all citizens.
However, it also presents a big opportunity for farming to be part of and benefit from the nature-recovery solution in Northern Ireland. This requires increased government investment in agri-environment schemes, the expertise of environmental organisations with experience in design and delivery, and bold leadership. Peter McEvoy, SAPWG Chair commented, “Farm businesses at this time depend on the financial support provided by environmental schemes to continue delivering environmental benefits. The future cost of inadequate investment is much greater.”
The public are on board – in a recent poll commissioned by RSPB NI, 71% of people in Northern Ireland agreed that public money should help farmers address the nature and climate crisis. The recent Scale of Need3 economic analysis shows that Northern Ireland needs to significantly increase the agriculture budget allocated to nature-friendly farming, in order to meet nature and legally-binding climate targets, improve the future resilience of our land and farming industry, and to produce high quality nutritious food.
To discuss these issues further, please visit stands C28B, on Central Way at Balmoral Show.
Read the full press release via the link below…
Read more